On Saturday, October 18, 2025, cities and towns across the United States are bracing for what could be the largest coordinated protest against President Donald Trump in the nation’s history. Dubbed "No Kings Day," this sweeping movement is expected to draw millions of Americans into the streets, from the bustling avenues of New York City to the quiet corners of Oklahoma and every region in between. Organizers and supporters say the purpose is clear: to reject what they view as a dangerous drift toward authoritarianism under the Trump administration and to reassert the principle that, in America, power belongs to the people—not to a king.
According to Hudson Valley Post, New York State alone is preparing for an unprecedented turnout. Massive "No Kings" protests are scheduled in dozens of locations, including Manhattan’s Father Duffy Square, Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, and parks and plazas from Albany to Buffalo. Organizers expect millions across the state to participate, with events ranging from morning rallies at local farmers markets to afternoon marches in city squares. The movement’s website declares, "As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again."
This isn’t the first time Americans have rallied under the "No Kings" banner. The first round of protests erupted on June 14, 2025—coinciding with Trump’s birthday and a flashy military parade in Washington, DC, marking the Army’s 250th anniversary. That day, more than 2,100 protests unfolded nationwide, drawing over 5 million participants, by some estimates. Rallies were held in all fifty states, attracting crowds in both liberal and conservative communities. In a Michigan town of just 900, nearly half the population turned out. In Des Moines, Iowa, about 7,000 gathered at the state capitol. As Word&Way reported, "Altogether, the No Kings rallies were the most significant protest event in modern U.S. politics, dwarfing the ‘Tea Party’ rallies during the Obama presidency as well as protest marches during the first Trump term."
What’s driving this tidal wave of protest? Organizers and their supporters point to a litany of grievances. Chief among them is what they describe as President Trump’s "authoritarian power grab," citing crackdowns on immigration, the deployment of militarized agents and National Guard troops in American cities, and economic policies perceived as favoring billionaires at the expense of struggling families. The movement’s rallying cry—"America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people"—is meant to underscore their belief that the president’s recent actions threaten the very foundations of American democracy.
Groups behind the protests are as diverse as the crowds they hope to draw. Indivisible, Public Citizen, MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, Working Families Power, and a host of unions and grassroots organizations are all lending support. Religious organizations like the American Friends Service Committee and Faithful America have also endorsed the rallies. The movement’s broad coalition reflects a growing sense of alarm about the direction of the country—and a determination to push back peacefully but forcefully.
Despite the movement’s emphasis on nonviolence—organizers have repeatedly discouraged participants from bringing weapons and required local leaders to undergo crowd safety and de-escalation training—not everyone is convinced of their motives. Some Trump supporters have responded with fierce criticism. House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the upcoming rallies a "hate-America rally" and accused participants of being "the pro-Hamas wing and antifa people" with "outrageous purposes." Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas went further, alleging without evidence that the protests would be "a Soros-paid-for protest for his professional protesters." At a recent press conference, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer claimed, "This is about one thing and one thing alone—to score political points with the terrorist wing of their party, which is set to hold... a hate America rally in DC next week."
Organizers and allies have pushed back against such allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, described the attacks as "unhinged comments" and defended the movement’s "simple message: America is a democracy, not a dictatorship." One main organizer told Word&Way that the rallies are "full of moms and grandmas and kids and dogs and funny chants, and it was a feeling of joyous power out in the streets." They insist that, far from being angry or violent, the protests are intended as celebrations of democracy and community spirit.
Indeed, the mood at many previous "No Kings" events has been described as festive and creative, with dancing animals, humorous signs, and families marching together. Clergy have often been at the forefront, advocating for compassion and justice—even at personal risk. Word&Way recounted the story of a Presbyterian pastor in Chicago who was shot in the head with a pepper ball while praying during a peaceful protest outside an ICE facility. Such incidents, organizers say, only underscore the urgency of their cause.
As the October 18 protests approach, the scale of the operation is staggering. According to USA TODAY and Hudson Valley Post, more than 2,500 events are planned nationwide, with nearly 20 in Oklahoma alone. Locations range from city halls and courthouses to parks and street corners. In Oklahoma City, for example, demonstrators will gather at City Hall Park, while in Tulsa, they’ll meet at Dream Keepers Park and at busy intersections. Organizers expect millions to join in, making this potentially the largest protest event in U.S. history.
For many participants, the stakes could hardly be higher. The "No Kings" movement frames the moment not as a matter of partisan politics, but as a battle for the soul of American democracy. As one statement on the movement’s website puts it: "This isn’t just politics. It’s democracy versus dictatorship. And together, we’re choosing democracy."
While the ultimate impact of Saturday’s protests remains to be seen, one thing is clear: Americans across the political spectrum are grappling with profound questions about power, accountability, and the meaning of democracy. Whether marching in New York, Oklahoma, or anywhere in between, millions are preparing to make their voices heard—loudly and peacefully—against the notion that any president could rule like a king.
