WASHINGTON (AP) — Protesting the route of the nation underneath President Trump, thousands and thousands of individuals gathered on Saturday within the nation’s capital and communities throughout the U.S. for “No Kings” demonstrations that Republicans have disparaged as “Hate America” rallies.
With indicators similar to “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” or “Resist Fascism,” in lots of locations the occasions regarded extra like a avenue celebration. There have been marching bands, protesters carrying inflatable costumes and an enormous banner with the U.S. Structure’s “We The People” preamble that attendees may signal.
Individuals participate in a “No Kings” protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photograph/Lindsey Wasson)
It was the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White Home and got here towards the backdrop of a authorities shutdown that not solely has closed federal packages and companies however is testing the core stability of energy, as an aggressive govt confronts Congress and the courts in ways in which protest organizers warn are a slide towards authoritarianism.
Trump himself was spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Nationwide demonstrations
Individuals packed into New York Metropolis’s Occasions Sq., Boston Frequent and Chicago’s Grant Park; exterior state capitols in Tennessee and Indiana; and at lots of of smaller public areas throughout the nation. Greater than 2,600 rallies had been deliberate for Saturday, organizers mentioned.
Many protesters had been angered by assaults on their motives. In Washington, Brian Reymann mentioned being referred to as a terrorist all week by Republicans was “pathetic.”
“This is America. I disagree with their politics, but I don’t believe that they don’t love this country,” Reymann mentioned, carrying a big U.S. flag. “I believe they are misguided. I think they are power-hungry.”
Attendees signal a banner representing the U.S. Structure throughout a No Kings protest, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Allison Robbert)
Greater than 1,500 folks gathered in Birmingham, Ala., evoking and overtly citing the town’s historical past of protests and the crucial position it performed within the Civil Rights Motion two generations in the past.
“It just feels like we’re living in an America that I don’t recognize,” mentioned Jessica Yother, a mom of 4. She and different protesters mentioned they felt camaraderie by gathering in a state the place Trump gained almost 65% of the vote final November.
“It was so encouraging,” Yother mentioned. “I walked in and thought, ‘Here are my people.’”
Organizers hope to construct opposition motion
“Big rallies like this give confidence to people who have been sitting on the sidelines but are ready to speak up,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy mentioned in an interview with The Related Press.
Whereas protests earlier this 12 months — towards Elon Musk’s cuts and Trump’s army parade — drew crowds, organizers say this one is uniting the opposition. Prime Democrats similar to Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer and Unbiased Sen. Bernie Sanders are becoming a member of what organizers view as an antidote to Trump’s actions, from the administration’s clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.
“We’re here because we love America,” Sanders mentioned, addressing the gang from a stage in Washington. He mentioned the American experiment is “in danger” underneath Trump however insisted, “We the people will rule.”
Republican critics denounce the demonstrations
Republicans sought to painting protesters as far exterior the mainstream and a major purpose for the federal government shutdown, quickly to be heading into its fourth week.
From the White Home to Capitol Hill, GOP leaders referred to as the protesters “communists” and “Marxists.” They mentioned Democratic leaders together with Schumer are beholden to the far-left flank and are prepared to maintain the federal government closed to appease these liberal forces.
Protesters carry a pro-Democracy banner throughout a “No Kings” protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in New York. (AP Photograph/Olga Fedorova)
“I encourage you to watch — we call it the ‘Hate America’ rally — that will happen Saturday,” mentioned Home Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana.
“Let’s see who shows up for that,” Johnson mentioned, itemizing teams together with “antifa types,” individuals who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.”
Many demonstrators, in response, mentioned they had been assembly such hyperbole with humor, noting that Trump usually leans closely on theatrics similar to claiming that cities he sends troops to are struggle zones.
An attendee inflates their costume throughout a No Kings protest, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Allison Robbert)
“So much of what we’ve seen from this administration has been so unserious and silly that we have to respond with the same energy,” mentioned Glen Kalbaugh, a Washington protester who wore a wizard hat.
Democrats attempt to regain their footing amid shutdown
Democrats have refused to vote on laws that might reopen the federal government as they demand funding for well being care. Republicans say they’re prepared to debate the problem later, however solely after the federal government reopens.
The state of affairs is a possible turnaround from simply six months in the past, when Democrats and their allies had been divided and despondent. Schumer particularly was berated by his celebration for permitting an earlier authorities funding invoice to sail by way of the Senate with out utilizing it to problem Trump.
“What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine,” mentioned Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, a key organizing group. “The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”
