Millions March Against 'Kings' as Democracy and Authority Collide
Saturday, October 18, 2025
The second wave of 'No Kings' protests brings millions to the streets amid government shutdown and federal troop deployments, revealing deep tensions about power, protest, and what it means to be American.
Millions of Americans are preparing for a second round of 'No Kings' protests this Saturday, with over 2,600 rallies planned across all 50 states. The demonstrations, organized by a coalition of more than 200 national organizations including the ACLU, Indivisible, and various labor unions, aim to protest what participants see as authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration, including immigration raids, deployment of federal troops to American cities, and the ongoing government shutdown.
The protests take their name from America's founding rejection of monarchy, with organizers drawing parallels between their resistance to Trump's policies and the colonists' rejection of King George III. The first 'No Kings' rally in June drew an estimated 5 million participants nationwide, coinciding with Trump's military parade and 79th birthday celebration.
Republican leaders have strongly criticized the protests, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling them 'hate America' rallies and claiming without evidence that 'pro-Hamas supporters' and 'Antifa types' would attend. Some GOP officials have blamed the demonstrations for prolonging the federal government shutdown, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott has preemptively deployed National Guard troops to Austin. Organizers maintain the protests will be peaceful and emphasize that opposing authoritarianism while exercising First Amendment rights is fundamentally American.
Key Facts
- Over 2,500 demonstrations planned across all 50 states for Saturday, October 18, with millions expected to participate—potentially exceeding the 5 million who protested in June
- Protests organized by coalition including ACLU, Indivisible, labor unions, and over 200 national organizations emphasizing nonviolent resistance
- House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled protests as 'hate America' rallies and claimed without evidence they include 'pro-Hamas supporters' and 'Antifa types'
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed National Guard to Austin ahead of protests; other states considering similar measures
- Protests coincide with ongoing government shutdown, immigration raids, and Trump administration's deployment of federal troops to Democratic-led cities
- June protests were overwhelmingly peaceful with one notable incident of violence in Salt Lake City