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What to Know About the Oct. 18 “No Kings” Protests
Oct
What Are the “No Kings” Protests?
On October 18, thousands of Americans will gather nationwide for the “No Kings” protests — a coordinated effort to celebrate free speech and the First Amendment.
Organizers say the demonstrations are both a celebration of democratic freedoms and a pushback against President Donald Trump’s policies, especially his administration’s immigration enforcement measures.
“This will be the single biggest day of protest in American history,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, one of the event’s main organizers. “Since we last did this, people have become more aware of what’s going wrong with this administration.”
When and Where Will the Protests Take Place?
Protests will take place at more than 2,500 locations across the United States. Major rallies are planned in Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, Kansas City, New Orleans, and Bozeman, Montana.
Organizers are urging participants to wear yellow to symbolize unity and visibility.
Unlike many large-scale events, this one depends on local organizers. “It’s truly a grassroots effort,” said Ben Levin, a local organizer. “If you have to drive more than an hour, start your own event in your town.”
Who Is Organizing “No Kings”?
A broad coalition of advocacy groups is leading the protests. These include the ACLU, MoveOn, Public Citizen, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, Common Defense, National Nurses United, and the American Federation of Teachers, among others.
These organizations have coordinated several peaceful demonstrations this year, building networks to ensure safety and inclusion.
Why the Name “No Kings”?
The title “No Kings” reflects the organizers’ view that Trump behaves more like a monarch than a democratic leader.
“America has no kings — the power belongs to the people,” their website states.
The first “No Kings Day” took place on June 14, aligning with Trump’s birthday, Flag Day, and a military parade in Washington, D.C. That day, demonstrations occurred in more than 1,800 communities across the country.
How Are Republicans Responding?
Several Republican lawmakers have criticized the protests, claiming they will attract “Antifa” activists and promote “anti-American” sentiment.
During an October 10 press conference, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer accused Democrats of “appeasing the terrorist wing of their party.”
Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the upcoming protests, responding simply, “Who cares?”
Are the Protests Expected to Be Peaceful?
Organizers emphasize that safety is their top priority. They have trained volunteers in crowd management and de-escalation to help prevent conflict.
“We’re taking to the streets to exercise our First Amendment rights,” Gilbert explained. “We’re not planning anything that could be seen as violent. Our goal is to protect participants while celebrating democracy.”
Past “No Kings” events, including those in June 2025, remained peaceful and drew large, orderly crowds.
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