Across the United States, a wave of demonstrations swept through cities and towns on Saturday, March 28th, marking the third major “No Kings” protest within the past year. Concerned citizens voiced their discontent with a range of policies enacted by the Trump administration, including the rising cost of living, a crackdown on federal immigration, and the nation’s involvement in conflicts with Iran.
This nationwide mobilisation coincides with a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating a dip in President Trump’s approval rating, which has fallen to a new low of 36 per cent since he took office.
Understanding the “No Kings” Movement
The “No Kings” moniker is the brainchild of the 50501 Movement, a national initiative symbolising “50 states, 50 protests, one movement.” This collective comprises ordinary Americans united against what they perceive as the Trump administration’s authoritarian tendencies and a commitment to democratic principles.
Organisers have explicitly detailed their grievances on their website, highlighting concerns such as:
- The deployment of “masked agents” into communities, allegedly terrorising citizens.
- Targeting of immigrant families through profiling, unwarranted arrests, and detentions.
- Threats to the integrity of elections.
- The rollback of protections in healthcare, environmental regulations, and education during times of critical need for families.
- The manipulation of electoral maps to suppress voter voices.
- A perceived indifference to school shootings and community violence.
- The exacerbation of the cost of living while providing substantial financial benefits to billionaire associates, leaving everyday families to struggle.
- The expenditure of billions in taxpayer funds on overseas military actions, further contributing to rising living costs and benefiting wealthy allies.
The movement’s core message is stark: “The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings — and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
Where the Protests Unfolded
Over 3,200 events were reportedly planned across all 50 US states. Major urban centres such as New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. were among the many locations hosting demonstrations.
However, organisers noted a significant trend: two-thirds of the “No Kings” events took place outside of major metropolitan areas. This represents a notable 40 per cent increase in smaller community participation since the movement’s inception last June, according to Reuters.
Estimating Attendee Numbers
Reports from The Guardian suggest that more than eight million protesters participated in rallies nationwide on Saturday. Among the notable figures reportedly present were musicians Bruce Springsteen and Maggie Rogers, as well as actress Jane Fonda.
The Driving Force Behind Saturday’s Demonstrations
The “No Kings” organisation outlined the specific catalysts for this most recent protest. Their website stated the reasons included:
- The presence of “masked secret police terrorising our communities.”
- An “illegal, catastrophic war putting us in danger and driving up our costs.”
- Attacks on fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, civil rights, and the right to vote.
- Economic pressures pushing families to the edge.
They reiterated their message: “Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people – not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies.” The call to action for March 28th was clear: “we show up together, and we say, loud and clear: No Kings.”
The movement has consistently emphasised its commitment to nonviolent and peaceful action. Their website stated: “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.”
Incidents and Arrests
In Los Angeles, following hours of peaceful “No Kings” demonstrations, over 70 arrests were made. Authorities reported that a crowd gathered at a federal building and, as the rally was concluding, ignored orders to disperse. This confrontation led law enforcement to deploy tear gas and pepper balls into the crowd, as detailed by The Los Angeles Times.
The White House Response
A White House spokeswoman, Abigail Jackson, issued a statement to The New York Times, asserting that “the only people who care about these Trump derangement therapy sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them.”
A History of “No Kings” Protests
This latest demonstration is not an isolated event. Previous “No Kings” protests have seen significant public turnout. In October of the preceding year, an estimated seven million Americans participated in over 2,700 events nationwide.
The June protests, which coincided with a military parade in Washington D.C. celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary and President Trump’s 79th birthday, saw nearly 2,000 protests across US cities. Millions of Americans voiced their opposition to Trump and his administration. The ACLU reported that over five million people participated in more than 2,100 “No Kings” events across the country.
This particular June protest was positioned as a counterpoint to what the movement described as a “costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade,” which featured numerous military vehicles, aircraft, and thousands of soldiers.
The “No Kings” movement articulated their stance on their website: “The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,” they declared. “On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”
In past demonstrations, protesters have called for Trump’s “dethronement,” drawing parallels between his actions and those of a monarch rather than a democratically elected leader.
Further afield, other news highlighted local protests in LA condemning Trump, and comedian Stephen King’s humorous jab at the president with a “creepy AI image” during a “Taco Tuesday” event.
