Massive crowds of demonstrators gathered in streets, parks, and plazas across the United States on Saturday in widespread protests against President Donald Trump.
The rallies, held in cities large and small, included chants against authoritarianism and expressions of support for democracy and immigrant rights.
Dubbed the “No Kings” demonstrations, organizers claimed millions took part in hundreds of events nationwide.
While governors called for calm and deployed the National Guard in some areas, the majority of gatherings remained peaceful. However, confrontations did arise in a few cities.
In Los Angeles, where tensions were already high following immigration raids last week, police used tear gas and crowd-control rounds to disperse protesters after the official event ended. In Portland, authorities used tear gas and projectiles to clear a crowd outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
In Salt Lake City, a shooting during a downtown march left one person critically injured. Police detained three individuals, including the suspected shooter, who was also shot. Investigators are still determining whether the attack was politically motivated.
Across major cities—New York, Chicago, Denver, Austin, and Los Angeles—demonstrators marched with signs, drums, and flags, chanting slogans like “no kings.” Seattle officials estimated more than 70,000 people attended the city’s largest rally downtown.
In Washington D.C., a small but vocal crowd chanted “Trump must go now” near Logan Circle as a giant puppet of Trump in a crown was paraded through the crowd. At the same time, the president was participating in a military parade marking the Army’s 250th anniversary.
Some protesters waved small American flags or flew them upside down in distress. Others carried Mexican flags, especially in cities like Los Angeles. In Virginia, one protester was struck by an SUV driven into a crowd; the driver was charged with reckless driving.
Statements from the No Kings Coalition emphasized peaceful resistance across political and geographic divides. “Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don’t do kings,” the group said.
City Highlights:
· Philadelphia: Thousands marched downtown waving flags and holding signs like “Fight oligarchy.” One group sang parody songs, including a version of “Y.M.C.A.” targeting Trump.
· Los Angeles: Demonstrators encountered Marines and National Guard troops while marching past City Hall and a federal detention center. A festive atmosphere gave way to clashes when police on horseback used force to clear streets.
· New York City: Protesters along Fifth Avenue expressed concerns over immigration, free speech, and climate. Women in suffragette dresses distributed flags, while others played drums and carried anti-Trump signs.
· Minnesota: Despite recent shootings of Democratic lawmakers, tens of thousands marched in Duluth, Rochester, and St. Paul. The suspect in the shootings had “No Kings” literature in his vehicle.
· Charlotte, North Carolina: Protesters chanted “No kings. No crowns.” Thousands marched behind a large Mexican flag as part of a peaceful demonstration.
· Austin, Texas: A rally at the state Capitol went ahead despite a security lockdown due to threats against Democratic lawmakers. Authorities later detained a suspect in connection with the threat.
· Jackson, Mississippi: Hundreds gathered on the Capitol lawn to protest racial injustice and threats to democracy. Protesters wore tinfoil crowns and held signs promoting peace.
· Portland, Oregon: Demonstrations remained peaceful for most of the day but turned violent outside an ICE facility. Officers used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd, declaring a riot.
