Protesters Flood Streets for ‘No Kings’ Demonstrations Worldwide

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Millions of protesters are gathering across the United States and internationally on Saturday for coordinated “No Kings” demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump’s policies and agenda enforced by his administration.

Over 2,600 rallies are taking place simultaneously in cities large and small, with at least one event scheduled in every U.S. state and demonstrations unfolding across multiple continents, including Germany, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Prague.

This event marks the third major mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House and represents a significant show of organized, international opposition to the administration’s direction.

When Newsweek inquired by email on Saturday about the global protests, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded: “Who cares?”

Why It Matters

The “No Kings” movement has previously organized mass rallies against the policies of the president, coordinating 1,800 protests across the United States on June 14, the birthday shared by Trump and the U.S. Army, as the military branch marked 250 years in the spring.

While many of the protests remained peaceful, there were some instances of violence, including a vehicular assault in Virginia.

The demonstrations come as the federal government enters its 18th day of shutdown, which has paralyzed federal programs and services while testing the constitutional balance of power. For Democrats and progressive organizers, Saturday’s protests signal a potential turning point after six months of internal division and demoralization following Trump’s return to office.

Organizers view the movement as a critical moment for democratic resistance and an antidote to what they characterize as authoritarian governance.

What To Know

The “No Kings” movement is organizing Saturday’s campaign to “defend democratic norms and reject authoritarianism,” with protest leaders framing the demonstrations as a choice between “democracy versus dictatorship.”

Organizers have emphasized nonviolent action and conducted a 90-minute safety and security training session earlier this month to help protest hosts practice de-escalation techniques. The movement’s website explicitly discourages participants from bringing weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted.

The protests come amid a broader immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, with the Department of Homeland Security pledging to deport people who do not have proper documentation. Trump has authorized the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to Chicago and previously to Los Angeles.

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered a surge of state troopers and National Guard troops into Austin, a Democratic stronghold in the state, ahead of planned “No Kings” protests this weekend that he has called “Antifa-linked,” directing law enforcement to arrest anyone who commits violence or property damage and saying that Texas “will NOT tolerate chaos.”

Abbott also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to deploy aircraft and other tactical assets.

Protests are taking place across major U.S. cities and smaller communities, with timing varying by location from late morning through early afternoon.

Some events, including the New York City demonstration, are organized as marches rather than traditional rallies.