Last weekend was historic. Millions of Americans across the country joined ”No Kings Day” rallies to defend our democracy, to speak out against the unfettered power grab by Donald Trump, and to oppose Stephen Miller’s mass deportation machine. The rallies drew more than 5 million people, making it one of the largest protests in American history. With Trump’s illegal use of the National Guard to the crackdown on peaceful protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) mass deportation raids across Los Angeles on full display, Americans were even more galvanized to fight against the authoritarian powers seeping into our American democracy and threatening our personal freedoms.
There were over 2,000 peaceful protests in different cities and towns. The protests weren’t just in blue cities and towns, but in all 50 states, including red states. It was a sharp contrast to Trump’s $45 million birthday parade, which reportedly did not meet his expectations.
One block over from the White House: the aspirational security line setup
— jenna ruddock (@ruddock.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T22:48:52.353Z
The massive turnout at the protests means around 1.2-1.8% of the U.S. population attended a No Kings Day” protest – a staggering number of people. G. Elliott Morris noted that scholars find that “mobilizations of 1-1.5% of the population still have a 40-60% chance of accomplishing their goals”. According to the Crowd Counting Consortium, a joint project of Harvard Kennedy School and the University of Connecticut, there are far more protests happening in Trump’s second term compared to this first term over the same time period.
In Minnesota, where political violence early Saturday morning resulted in the horrific murder of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband and serious injuries to State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, tens of thousands of Minnesotans came out to remember the victims and to stand together on No Kings Day.
The day started with tragedy with political violence in MN and instead of being scared, neighbors SHOWED UP to stand together at No Kings Twin Cities. We packed the Capitol Mall all the way to the Cathedral. Estimate 80,000+ right now. So proud of our state. #nokings #indivisible
— Indivisible Twin Cities (@indivistwincities.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T21:45:20.151Z
Across the country, rally attendees shared messages defending democracy and the rights of all of us. But, one consistent theme was the fierce opposition to the Trump/Miller mass deportation crusade.
One of the protesters, Angeleno Maria Rodriguez, explained how important it was as a Dreamer and “as an American” to “fight for what’s right, to stand up for our rights,” particularly after seeing the arrest of the California union leader David Huerta at a protest against immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Angeline Garza, an elementary school teacher from Texas, said that “Now more than ever, [deportations] are affecting a lot of people and they are seeing what the Trump administration wanted to do from the beginning, that it was not just about deporting criminals.”
And Janey Christoffersen, a first-time protester from Wisconsin, said that she was angered over mass deportation raids and wanted tto affirm that immigrants belong here. “I want to get out of my comfort zone to show people that we love and care about them, that the whole country is not angry.”
America isn’t about separating families or giving up on our freedoms and our right to due process. It’s about coming together as “We the People” to protect each other and stand up for what is right. While this won’t be the last time there will be protests out on the streets to speak out against Trump and Miller, and this single day won’t stop the inhumane mass deportation of our families, coworkers, and friends, it shows that Americans are not just going to idly standby and watch authoritarian powers hide behind false xenophobic characterization of g immigrants in this country. These protests, especially when compared to Trump’s birthday parade, show that support for Trump and Miller’s mass deportation obsession is weak, despite their recent show of state force.
The “No Kings Day” protests were one step towards the bigger resistance and a litmus test for how much America values democracy and freedom and will not stay ignorant nor silent. Some examples from across the country:
IDAHO:
Do you know how badly you have to screw up as a Republican to get this kind of turnout in IDAHO? #NOKINGS
— Heather M. Collins🗽 (@heathersdesk.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T19:44:59.284Z
WISCONSIN:
You can’t see me bc I’m holding a flag but guys I live in a 2k person extremely rural town in one of the reddest counties of WI. So many people showed up there was a line all the way to the highway. I often feel a bit afraid due to my identity in this area but #nokings brought out so many
— Antigone Barbieri (@thetragedymachine.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T19:25:41.403Z
TENNESSEE:
I'm floored.This is ONE stretch of ONE side of the street in deep red, small town Knoxville, TN today.This is a city that Trump won in 2024 by 20+ points.The scope of these protests are massive—American from both sides of the aisle are pissed.There will be no kings.
— Joshua Reed Eakle 🗽 (@joshuaeakle.com) 2025-06-14T18:33:54.047Z
ALASKA:
Juneau turns out big! With a population of only 32,000 residents the state capitol of Alaska even Republicans are turning out! I estimate the turnout to be close to 2,000+.No police, no ICE and no MAGA hats or flags. And No violence.
ALABAMA:
Thousands attended a joyful, peaceful #NoKings protest in Huntsville, AL today. As the main activities took place on Butler Green, many lined the adjacent street with signs. @indivisible5al.bsky.social @50501alabama.bsky.social @demcast.com @maddow.msnbc.com @purplepeopleresist.bsky.social
— Kathy W (@jabber-wocky.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T20:18:21.589Z
ILLINOIS:
Hundreds, maybe more, in Des Plaines, Illinois. The middle of this country fucking hates this guy.
— Tim Onion (@bencollins.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T18:38:56.061Z
MISSISSIPPI:
Huge turnout at the #NoKings rally in Hattiesburg, Missisisppi today, wrapping up and down both sides of the streets around City Hall.I'd estimate that about 300 people showed up, along with 2 pro-Trump counter-protesters.
— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T17:38:13.509Z
FLORIDA:
Here are more pics from Tampa Bay #nokings rally 🚫👑
— Ciara Torres-Spelliscy (@profciara.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T16:29:56.709Z
NORTH CAROLINA:
NO MORE BAD THINGS – thanks little Leo ❤️what a totally inspiring rally and march today in #Durham NC with huge turnout and peaceful, kind people standing up for eachother and this country. Hope!!! #NOKINGS #NC #NorthCarolina
— Heather LaGarde (@heatherlagarde.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T19:57:04.258Z
TEXAS:
Dallas, deep red, oil-soaked, and MAGA-aligned is now flooded with anti-Trump protesters. A city once thought untouchable has joined the rebellion. The tide is turning.
