You likely saw some news of the nationwide “No Kings” protests on Saturday — and you may have had demonstrations in your own community — but if you need to catch up on the big picture, here’s a quick rundown:
The turnout: More than 7 million people took part in 2,700 rallies across the country, according to organizers. Along with larger events in major cities, small pockets of “No Kings” protesters cropped up along busy thoroughfares, in small town squares and at municipal parks in red and blue states alike.
The causes: Attendees were broadly protesting against what they described as President Donald Trump’s “authoritarian” agenda, and we saw signs and chants about a range of the administration’s policies.
But some key themes took center stage, including perceived threats to democracy, the administration’s ICE raids and troop deployments in US cities, and cuts to federal programs, especially health care.
Here’s more of what we heard from protesters.
What it was like on the ground: The protests were largely peaceful and there were not widespread clashes with law enforcement. Authorities in Portland and New York City reported that the protests concluded without a single arrest.
Some demonstrators wore yellow — a symbol of unity and a reference to other nonviolent resistance movements, according to organizers. Other protesters wore costumes, including inflatable chickens, frogs and dinosaurs, which they said emphasized the peaceful and even jovial nature of the demonstrations.
There were some sporadic reports of trouble involving people who targeted protesters: A woman in South Carolina was arrested for brandishing a firearm while driving near a demonstration, and a man in Georgia was seen on video taking a protester’s flag and pushing another demonstrator to the ground.
What Trump said: Trump responded with mockery — embracing the narrative in a way that explains his growing hubris and belief that he has unchecked power.
Trump shared an AI meme of himself in a crown, flying a fighter jet emblazoned with “KING TRUMP,” appearing to dump raw sewage on protesters.
He also said people who attended the rallies “are not representative of the people of our country.”
