Protesters gathered in cities across the United States on Saturday in what they called “No Kings” marches, to denounce what they view as the authoritarian tendencies of President Donald Trump.
Organisers expected millions of people to turn out by day’s end at more than 2,600 planned rallies in major cities, small towns and some foreign capitals.
“There is nothing more American than saying, ‘We don’t have kings, and exercising our right to peacefully protest,” said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, a progressive organisation that led planning of Saturday’s events.
The protests reflect growing unease among many Americans regarding developments such as the criminal prosecution of Trump’s perceived political enemies, his immigration crackdown and the sending of National Guard troops into cities.
As his administration has tried to rapidly implement its policies, Trump has installed inexperienced loyalists across the ranks of his administration and sought to apply pressure on the news media, law firms and higher education.
The rallies were boisterous but orderly, with police largely keeping a low profile.
In Washington, demonstrators filled the street as they marched toward the Capitol building, chanting and carrying signs, US flags and balloons.
Four marchers dressed in prison stripes and large caricature heads of Trump displayed a sign saying “Impeach Trump Again.”
Protester Aliston Elliot, wearing a Statue of Liberty headpiece and holding a “No Wannabe Dictators” sign, said: “We want to show our support for democracy and for fighting (for) what is right. I’m against the overreach of power.”
Events in New York City, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta also drew large crowds. In downtown Houston, Marine Corps veteran Daniel Aboyte Gamez, 30, joined a crowd that officials said numbered at least 1,500.
“I don’t understand what’s going on in this nation right now,” said Gamez, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. “As a Marine Corps vet, I understand that the United States was founded upon action against tyrants, against kings.”
Kevin Brice, 70, a military veteran among thousands of protesters streaming into the riverfront area of Portland, Oregon, wore a black sweatshirt emblazoned with the slogan “No Kings since 1776.”
“I’m embarrassed that we have federal agents in masks arresting people in the streets. I’m embarrassed that we’re talking about using the military against civilians. I’m embarrassed that it’s OK to lie and make stuff up,” Brice said.
“So even though I’m a lifelong Republican, I don’t support the direction the party is going.”
In an interview with Fox Business aired on Friday, Trump said that “they’re referring to me as a king — I’m not a king.”
House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, on Friday echoed a common refrain among his party, labeling the “No Kings” protests “the hate America rally.”
Other Republicans have accused organisers of the rallies of stoking an atmosphere that might spur more political violence, especially in the wake of the September assassination of right-wing activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk.
With Reuters
