On Saturday, October 18, 2025, the United States will again become a stage for mass dissent as the "No Kings" protests sweep across the nation. The movement, which began with a bang earlier this year, is set to bring together millions of Americans in cities large and small, from California to Florida and up to Portland, Oregon. Their message is clear: a rejection of what organizers call President Donald Trump’s “authoritarian actions and power grabs,” and a reaffirmation of the country’s democratic ideals.
According to organizers, more than 2,500 No Kings events are scheduled across all 50 states, with dozens planned in California alone and at least 80 in Florida. The protests are not just a one-off outburst—they follow on the heels of a June 14 day of action that saw over five million people take to the streets nationwide, coinciding with the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday parade in Washington, D.C., and Trump’s 79th birthday. In Portland, that summer day brought out 50,000 demonstrators, a number that speaks to the city’s reputation for activism and civic engagement, as reported by the Portland Tribune.
The October 18 demonstrations come at a time of heightened political tension. President Trump, now in his second term, will be spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, attending a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser for the MAGA Inc. super PAC. As The Palm Beach Daily News notes, this will be Trump’s 11th visit to Mar-a-Lago since his inauguration in January 2025, and his 12th trip to Florida overall since returning to the White House. Coincidentally—or perhaps not—some of the more than 80 Florida protests will take place just down the road from Mar-a-Lago, though the heavy traffic and road closures in the area make it a tricky spot for both supporters and detractors to gather safely.
The No Kings movement is a coalition effort, with support from grassroots organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, and the League of Conservation Voters. Their stated aim is to push back against what they see as “violent authoritarian attacks” on American freedoms, including the deployment of federal troops to cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, as well as policies targeting immigrant families. Organizers also cite the administration’s rollback of environmental protections and education funding as motivating factors.
“Together, millions will send a clear and unmistakable message: we are a nation of equals, and our country will not be ruled by fear or force,” No Kings organizers said in an October 11 news release, as reported by The Sacramento Bee. The protests are billed as nonviolent, with strict rules against bringing weapons and a strong emphasis on de-escalation. Organizers have trained volunteers to work with local partners to ensure that the events remain peaceful, and participants are encouraged to act lawfully and seek dialogue rather than confrontation.
California will be home to a flurry of activity on October 18, with events scheduled in cities from Fresno to San Francisco and Ventura. In Los Angeles, protesters will gather at Unidad Park & Community Garden from 10 a.m. to noon, while Sacramento’s rally will take place on the west steps of the State Capitol. San Diego’s Civic Center Plaza, Santa Barbara’s Alameda Park, and San Jose’s North Second Street are just a few of the other venues where demonstrators will converge.
Portland, Oregon, a city known for its robust protest culture, will see three separate No Kings events. According to the Portland Tribune, gatherings are planned at Tom McCall Waterfront Park at the Battleship Memorial, the Highway 26 Sylvan Overpass, and the intersection of Southeast Steel Street and 47th Avenue, with times staggered throughout the day to allow for maximum participation. The city’s mayor, Keith Wilson, has praised those who “peacefully and powerfully raised their voices against Federal overreach,” underscoring the deeply held values of both Portland and the nation.
But not everyone is on board with the message or the methods of the No Kings movement. House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a Fox News interview on October 14, claimed that the federal government could not reopen until after the protests were over, blaming what he called the “rabid base” of the opposition. “They have a hate America rally that’s scheduled for Oct. 18 on the National Mall,” Johnson said, characterizing the protests as being led by “the pro-Hamas wing, and the antifa people.”
Organizers dismissed Johnson’s remarks with a mix of humor and frustration. In a joint statement, the No Kings coalition responded, “Speaker Johnson is running out of excuses for keeping the government shut down. Instead of reopening the government, preserving affordable healthcare, or lowering costs for working families, he’s attacking millions of Americans who are peacefully coming together to say that America belongs to its people, not to kings. We’ll see everyone on October 18.”
The protests are not without their risks and legal boundaries. The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California reminds participants that the First Amendment protects the right to organize, express opinions, and photograph events on public property. “The First Amendment and the California Constitution protects your right to expressive speech,” Chessie Thacher, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU, told The Sacramento Bee. However, exceptions exist for true threats, defamation, harassment, and obscenities. Law enforcement can intervene if protesters fail to comply with legal restrictions or incite violence. As the UCLA Police Department notes, civil disobedience—such as blocking roads—is not protected speech under the Constitution and can result in arrest.
In Palm Beach, the spectacle of Trump’s motorcade—dubbed "The Beast"—remains a draw for supporters and the curious alike. As USA TODAY Network-Florida describes, people often line Southern Boulevard to catch a glimpse of the procession, though the lack of sidewalks and frequent road closures make it a hazardous endeavor. Mar-a-Lago itself, a 17-acre estate purchased by Trump in 1985 and converted into a private club a decade later, remains off-limits to all but members and their guests.
As the nation braces for another weekend of protest and political theater, the stakes feel higher than ever. The No Kings movement, with its echoes of earlier mass mobilizations, is a reminder that the American experiment is as much about the right to dissent as it is about the right to govern. Whether these demonstrations will have a lasting impact on policy or public opinion remains to be seen, but the sheer scale and coordination of the effort suggest that millions are unwilling to let their voices go unheard.
With the eyes of the nation—and the world—watching, October 18 promises to be a day that will test the boundaries of protest, power, and democracy in America.
