On Saturday, October 18, 2025, the United States will witness one of its broadest waves of political protest in recent memory as the “No Kings” movement returns to the streets. Organizers anticipate nearly 2,700 demonstrations across all 50 states, stretching from Los Angeles to Boston and encompassing cities as varied as New York, Chicago, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, and New Orleans. The movement’s reach even extends beyond American borders, with events planned in Canada and Mexico, according to reporting from Nexstar Media Inc. and the Palm Beach Daily News.
The “No Kings” protests are not new, but this round is expected to be bigger, louder, and more defiant than ever. The previous “No Kings Day” on June 14, 2025, coincided with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and a grand military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. That day saw over 7,000 people gather in Hartford, Connecticut alone, and thousands more nationwide. This Saturday, organizers predict the numbers will surpass those earlier in the year, with the flagship event set for the National Mall in Washington, D.C., from noon to 2 p.m. Marchers will gather at the Smithsonian Metro Station at 10:30 a.m. before heading down the Mall, according to FOX 5 DC.
Security in the nation’s capital is tight. The U.S. Secret Service began erecting anti-scale fencing around the White House on Wednesday night, just days ahead of the protest. “The U.S. Secret Service, alongside our federal and local law enforcement and public safety partners, is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our protectees and the public during large gathering and major events in Washington, D.C.,” a spokesperson said in a statement cited by FOX 5 DC. Out of concern for operational security, the agency declined to discuss specific methods.
What’s fueling this massive mobilization? The 50501 Movement, the main organizer, says it stands against executive overreach, authoritarianism, “billionaire-first politics,” and the increasing militarization of American democracy. Their name—“50 States, 50 Protests, 1 Movement”—underscores the nationwide scope. The group’s website, as reported by the Hartford Courant, declares, “His administration is sending masked agents into our streets, terrorizing our communities. They are targeting immigrant families, profiling, arresting and detaining people without warrants. Threatening to overtake elections. Gutting healthcare, environmental protections, and education when families need them most. Rigging maps to silence voters.”
The protests also respond to recent policy moves by the Trump administration. Demonstrators are rallying against the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and the National Guard to American cities, healthcare cuts, and what they describe as handouts to billionaires. Tariffs and a perceived consolidation of power across all branches of government are additional flashpoints. The protests’ peaceful spirit is emphasized repeatedly; organizers have issued explicit instructions to avoid bringing weapons and to focus on de-escalation, a point highlighted by both FOX 5 DC and the Palm Beach Daily News.
In Florida, the protests take on added significance. President Trump is scheduled to return to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach for a high-profile fundraiser the same weekend, his 12th visit home since retaking office in January 2025. According to the Palm Beach Daily News, more than 80 protests are planned in Florida alone, including several just miles from Mar-a-Lago. The Florida events are not without risk; state law restricts protests near funerals and requires demonstrators to stay at least 25 feet from first responders if asked. The so-called HALO Law, new this year, is intended to protect first responders but has drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates who fear it could stifle documentation of law enforcement actions.
Organizers are undeterred. In Connecticut, about 40 towns will participate, with Hartford again expected to host the state’s largest gathering. The festivities there are designed to blend protest with celebration, featuring large balloons, “We the People” banners for attendees to sign, and performances from 43 musical groups, including Neikta Waller and Hartford’s Proud Drill, Drum and Dance Corps. Political leaders such as Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam are slated to speak, as reported by the Hartford Courant.
Carol Rizzolo, co-lead for Connecticut Shoreline Indivisible, described the day as “an absolutely joyous celebration and a celebration of our country, and basically the celebration of democracy. And that’s what we’re fighting for.” She added, “Don’t let them take your power. You’re alive, you’re fortunate to be in this country and you’ve got power in your voice. Use it. Whether that’s your legislator, your town school board, your town council, the federal level—use your voice. This is going to take all of us in it together.” Voter registration materials will be available at many protest sites, encouraging participants to engage in the upcoming local elections.
National political figures are weighing in. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Thursday that he would join the marchers, stating on the Senate floor, “I don’t care if you’re Democrat, Republican, independent, moderate, conservative. The majority of Americans want to defend this democracy. ‘No Kings’ says that in a very strong way, that we don’t want kings.” He also urged, “Do not let Donald Trump intimidate you into silence.”
Republican leaders have not been as supportive. Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the “No Kings” protest a “hate America rally,” a phrase echoed by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House GOP Whip Tom Emmer. President Trump himself downplayed the anticipated turnout, telling reporters from the Oval Office, “I hear very few people are going to be there, by the way. But they have their day coming up and they want to have their day in the sun.”
Despite the rhetoric from the White House and some Republican leaders, the “No Kings” organizers remain steadfast in their commitment to peaceful protest and democratic engagement. The group’s website, as cited by FOX 5 DC, reiterates its core principle: “a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation.”
For those unable to attend in person, FOX 5 DC will provide live coverage beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, streaming on the FOX Local app, YouTube, and TikTok. The hope among organizers is that the movement’s message—resistance to authoritarianism, protection of democracy, and the power of collective action—will resonate far beyond the streets and into the voting booths and civic life of the nation.
As Saturday approaches, the country braces for a day that could shape the political conversation for months to come, with thousands ready to march, sing, and speak out in cities across America and beyond.
