Protestors in NYC. Credit: Instagram @thenyic
Millions of Americans took to the streets on Saturday, October 18, as part of the “No Kings” peaceful protests, a coordinated national demonstration against President Donald Trump’s administration.
Events were reportedly held in all 50 US states, marking one of the largest days of protest in recent US history.
Demonstrators called for the protection of democratic institutions, denounced the delegation of the National Guard, and opposed cuts to healthcare and immigration raids.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that all ten demonstrations were peaceful. “We know he’s not a king,” she told CNN. “But we don’t want to see our democracy slide backwards into authoritarianism.”
Crowds danced to salsa bands and carried rainbow, American, and Mexican flags, with some protesters donning inflatable frog and unicorn costumes.
Similar scenes unfolded in New York City, where the police reported over 100,000 demonstrators filled Times Square, chanting “This is what democracy looks like.” No protest-related arrests were reported in New York.
In Washington DC, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders told crowds, “We’re not here because we hate America – we’re here because we love America,” urging citizens to defend democratic freedoms.
Federal shutdown fuels discontent
The demonstrations coincided with a federal government shutdown, which has furloughed thousands of workers. One protester, a long-serving federal employee, said she had been “in tears” after recent layoffs.
“The elimination of these jobs is threatening people’s ability to keep a roof over their heads,” she told CNN, adding that the administration showed a “lack of compassion” toward civil servants.
Organisers rejected opposition claims that the protests were “anti-American” or “antifa-linked.” Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the group Public Citizen, said the movement’s message was clear,
“The president wants us to be scared, but we will not be bullied into fear and silence.”
There was isolated tension outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, where gas canisters were hurled at forceful protestors. Apart from this incident, the events reportedly remained non-violent.
For expats and locals living in the US, the No Kings protests signal growing unease about democratic stability and immigration policy – both of which could affect residency and visa processes.
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