“No to the King” protests sweep across the U.S. against Trump’s policies

The protest coalition, known as No Kings, once again called on millions of Americans to take to the streets on Saturday, October 18, to demonstrate in more than 2,500 locations across all 50 U.S. states against President Donald Trump’s administration.

CNN reported: “One of the largest crowds we’ve seen so far today is in New York, where ‘No Kings’ protesters have filled the streets in some of the city’s busiest areas.”

The network added that at Madison Square Garden, a large banner could be seen reading “No to the King” and “People Over Billionaires.” Protesters chanted slogans such as “This is what democracy looks like” and “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.”

One protester at the “No to the King” rally in New York City told CNN: “I’ve been protesting since the 1960s, but this time feels different. Back then, we were fighting to expand rights — women’s rights, minority rights, voting rights. But now all of that is gone. Today, our entire democracy, its basic principles, the press, and the judiciary are under threat.”

The protester, one of thousands expected to march in Manhattan, held a sign reading: “We protest because we love America — and we want to take it back.”

He referred to a “sense of fear and loss” under Donald Trump’s government, saying: “I just hope that together, we can save democracy.”

The California governor’s office announced that a section of Interstate 5 would be closed on Saturday “due to severe safety hazards and driver distractions, including sudden and unexpected loud explosions.”

Democratic Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts attended the “No to the King” rally in Haydenville, sharing photos on X showing him shaking hands with participants.

He wrote: “We will not back down to Donald Trump. This country was built on protest.”

Liz Cattaneo, one of the organizers of the Washington D.C. protest, told CNN: “The safety of protesters on Saturday is especially important amid rising political violence nationwide. We take protester safety very, very seriously — we must, given the increasing political threats. We want to make sure people can show up and speak out safely.”

Across the country, many demonstrators wore yellow — a symbol that organizers say represents unity and draws inspiration from other nonviolent resistance movements.

Historically, people protesting authoritarian regimes have chosen colors that stand out amid a sea of thousands.

A brochure on the No Kings website reads: “Yellow is a bright and undeniable reminder that millions of us stand together in the belief that America belongs to its people — not to kings.”

Prominent political figures including Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, and Chris Murphy, the Democratic senator from Connecticut, joined the “No to the King” protest in Washington D.C.

Murphy addressed the crowd, calling Donald Trump “the most corrupt president in the history of the United States.”

He added: “The truth is, he’s carrying out a step-by-step plan to destroy everything that protects our democracy — free speech, fair elections, an independent press, and the right to peaceful protest. But the truth is, he hasn’t won yet. The people still rule this country.”