Thousands are expected to attend, especially in America’s largest cities. The main event in Manhattan is expected to start in Times Square’s Father Duffy Square, starting at 11 a.m. Another big one is planned for Brooklyn. It’s the second “No Kings” protest and third mass movement against the administration this year, and it comes amid an intensifying conflict between federal law enforcement and protesters nationwide.
Some conservative politicians have condemned the protests as “Hate America” rallies, while others say they represent a “patriotic” fight for First Amendment rights.
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No Kings protests in NYC
Saturday’s protest is expected to focus on the fighting against the government shutdown, intensifying immigration raids and the deployment of National Guard troops into cities.
“Today we join millions of Americans speaking out to reclaim and defend our freedoms from the madness of a wannabe king. In America, power belongs to The People, and We The People will hold the powerful accountable,” the New York Civil Liberties Union said in a statement to PIX11 News.Reps. Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman, former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, state Assemblymembers Alex Bores, Jordan Wright, and Micah Lasher, Councilmembers Julie Menin and Keith Powers; Democratic nominees for City Council Virginia Maloney, Ty Hankerson, and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein are all expected to attend the march.ALSO READ: What is ‘No Kings’ protest and who will be attending anti-Trump rallies in US today? Story in 10 points
“I encourage you to watch — we call it the Hate America rally — that will happen Saturday,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson when asked about the protests on Capitol Hill. Organizers recommend that attendees use the subway stops on 47th and 50th streets to get to the march at Father Duffy Square.
“A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events,” organizers wrote on the “No Kings” protest event page.
Another “No Kings” march will kick off on Staten Island, outside of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis’ office, at 1 p.m. Protests are expected throughout all five boroughs on Saturday. The Times Square “No Kings” protest is expected to last until 1 p.m. PIX11 News reached out to the NYPD for comment on the march.
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When was the last ‘No Kings’ protest held?
The last “No Kings” protest took place on June 14 in thousands of cities and towns across the country, in large part to protest a military parade in Washington that marked the Army’s 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump’s birthday. “No Kings” organizers at the time called the parade “coronation” that was symbolic of what they characterized as Trump’s growing authoritarian overreach. Confrontations were isolated and the protests were largely peaceful.
Trump’s crackdown on protests — particularly in Democratic-led cities — has grown more forceful since the June demonstrations. He has already dispatched National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, while his attempts to send forces to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have been blocked in federal court. He has also threatened to deploy troops to New York City.
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In Chicago, federal immigration agents have arrested over 1,000 people since September, using increasingly aggressive tactics. The city, the nation’s third largest, has seen a surge in protests — many of them large, tense, and at times erupting into violent confrontations outside a suburban federal immigration processing facility.
“People are angrier. It feels so much more immediate,” said Denise Poloyac of Indivisible Chicago. “They’re deeply worried about what’s happening in our city and across the country.”
In preparation for the upcoming “No Kings” demonstrations, organizers — in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union — have hosted multiple virtual safety trainings. These sessions educate participants on their legal rights during protests, such as when they must present identification or whether masks are permitted (rules vary by state), and teach de-escalation strategies for interacting with law enforcement.
Each sanctioned protest includes a structured safety plan with assigned medics and designated emergency meeting points to ensure demonstrators’ well-being.
FAQs
When are ‘No Kings’ protests held in US?
The ‘No Kings’ protests are being held on October 18 at 2,500 locations across US in defiance of the Trump administration.
When and where will the ‘No Kings’ protests take place in New York City?
The ‘No Kings’ protests in New York City are set to take place on Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. at Father Duffy Square in Times Square. Additional events are scheduled in Brooklyn and Staten Island later in the day.
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