Mass Demonstrations Begin in New York City
A massive wave of demonstrations has begun across the United States, with thousands gathering in New York City’s Times Square to protest against former President Donald Trump. The rallies, organised under the “No Kings” movement, mark the start of more than 2,500 coordinated events taking place nationwide on Saturday.
Organisers say the campaign aims to challenge what they call Trump’s “authoritarian tendencies” as he positions himself for another potential run for the White House. Protesters held signs reading “Dump Trump” and “Trump is a traitor” as chants echoed through Manhattan’s streets.
‘No Kings’ Movement Mobilises Millions Nationwide
The No Kings coalition, a network of progressive and civil rights groups, launched the nationwide mobilisation early Saturday morning. According to organisers, over five million Americans participated in similar demonstrations held in June, which remained largely peaceful.
In major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, and Austin, massive crowds are expected to turn out throughout the day. Demonstrators say they are united in opposition to what they describe as Trump’s “chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
The coalition’s website declares: “The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings — and we won’t back down.”
Law Enforcement on Alert Across Several States
As protests intensified, Republican governors in several states placed National Guard units on standby in anticipation of potential unrest.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated troops ahead of a rally planned in Austin, warning of what he called “Antifa-linked demonstrations.”
Similarly, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered his state’s Guard to prepare for deployment, while Kansas Senator Roger Marshall told CNN, “We’ll have to get the National Guard out. Hopefully, it’ll be peaceful — but I doubt it.”
Despite these warnings, organisers insist the rallies are entirely peaceful and grounded in the principles of nonviolent protest.
Celebrities Join Nationwide Movement
Prominent Hollywood figures have added their voices to the growing demonstrations. Robert De Niro, a longtime critic of Trump, released a video urging Americans to join in “non-violently raising our voices.”
He said, “We’ve had two and a half centuries of democracy — often challenging, sometimes messy, but always essential. Now we have a would-be king who wants to take it away: King Donald the First.”
Other celebrities expected to attend include Jane Fonda, John Legend, Kerry Washington, Alan Cumming, and John Leguizamo, who have all expressed public support for the movement.
Political Leaders Clash Over Protest Response
The deployment of armed troops to monitor civilian protests sparked backlash from Democrats. Texas lawmaker Gene Wu criticised Governor Abbott’s actions, saying: “Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do — and Greg Abbott just proved he’s one of them.”
Republicans, however, argue that the National Guard activation is necessary to maintain public safety amid growing tensions. Trump supporters have labelled the demonstrations as “the hate America rallies,” accusing organisers of aligning with far-left groups.
Protests Spread Beyond the United States
The message of the “No Kings” movement has also inspired solidarity events across Europe. Rallies in Berlin, Madrid, and Rome saw protesters carrying banners and American flags while expressing support for democratic values in the US.
Observers say the international turnout underscores the global concern over democratic backsliding and the growing influence of authoritarian politics worldwide.
Trump Responds: ‘I’m Not a King’
In a preview of an upcoming Fox News interview, Donald Trump addressed the demonstrations directly.
“A king? This is not an act,” he said. “They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.”
Trump dismissed the protests as politically motivated and accused organisers of spreading misinformation. His allies claim the movement is being funded by left-wing donors to create unrest ahead of the election season.
‘We Stand for Democracy,’ Say Organisers
In Washington DC, where crowds are expected to peak around midday, Senator Bernie Sanders is set to deliver the day’s keynote address. Sanders, a long-time advocate of grassroots activism, has urged Americans to defend democratic values through civic engagement and peaceful protest.
Organisers of the “No Kings” rallies emphasised that their message is not one of partisanship, but of protecting American democracy.
“Our protests are about freedom, accountability, and the Constitution,” said a spokesperson. “No one is above the law — not even a former president.”
Calls for Peaceful Expression
While authorities remain on alert, law enforcement agencies in major cities have praised the largely peaceful conduct of early demonstrations.
With millions expected to join throughout the weekend, organisers hope the No Kings protests will serve as a turning point — reaffirming that the United States belongs to its people, not to any single leader.
