No Kings’ Protests Are Spreading Fast — Is This the Start of Something Bigger?
- Cloud 9 News
- Oct 17
- 4 min read
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 17, 2025 - In a surge of grassroots activism echoing the spirit of America's founding principles, organizers of the "No Kings" movement announced plans for what could become the largest coordinated protest in U.S. history. On Saturday, October 18, demonstrations are slated to unfold at more than 2,500 locations across all 50 states, from bustling metropolises to rural hamlets, as millions rally against what they describe as the authoritarian excesses of the Trump administration.
The protests, branded under the rallying cry "No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings," are organized by a coalition of over 200 national groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Indivisible, MoveOn, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the American Federation of Teachers, and the Human Rights Campaign. This follows a June 14, 2025, wave of "No Kings" actions that drew an estimated 5 million participants in over 2,100 cities and towns nationwide – a figure organizers say was instrumental in overshadowing President Donald Trump's 79th birthday celebration and a U.S. Army 250th anniversary parade in the capital.
"This is a love letter to democracy," said Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, in a statement to reporters. "We're showing the world that America has no kings – the power belongs to the people. Since June, the administration has doubled down on deportations, healthcare cuts, and power grabs over Congress and the courts. October 18 is our reminder: We won't stand for it."
Preliminary sign-ups for the October events have nearly doubled from June, with organizers anticipating turnout exceeding 7 million – potentially surpassing the record set by the 2017 Women's March. The distributed model empowers local activists to tailor events to their communities, fostering participation in even the smallest towns.
Key anchor cities include:
Washington, D.C.: A major rally on the National Mall, expected to draw tens of thousands, coinciding with ongoing government shutdown tensions.
New York City: Marches through Manhattan and Brooklyn, building on over 100 statewide events.
Los Angeles and San Francisco: Coastal hubs hosting rallies with live music, speeches, and informational booths.
Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans: Urban centers with multi-thousand-person gatherings.
Unexpected Outposts: Even Bozeman, Montana, and Kansas City, Missouri, are gearing up for significant demonstrations.
In Florida alone, nearly 90 protests are planned, spanning Miami, Tallahassee, Orlando, and beyond, amid concerns over state laws like the HALO Act that could limit filming of law enforcement. Colorado expects over a dozen in the Denver metro area, with the state capitol event projected to eclipse June's 5,000 attendees. New York state lists more than 100 sites, from the Finger Lakes to the Lower Hudson Valley.
Internationally, solidarity actions are set in Europe, Canada, and Mexico, rebranded in some monarchies as "No Tyrants" to emphasize anti-authoritarianism.
(Data compiled from No Kings coalition reports and local organizers as of October 17, 2025.)
The timing is no coincidence. The protests coincide with a two-week government shutdown, which critics blame on Trump's refusal to compromise on funding for immigration enforcement and military expansions. Demonstrators are decrying a litany of policies: ramped-up deportations via ICE, National Guard deployments in Democratic-led cities, gerrymandering efforts, healthcare rollbacks, and perceived censorship attempts against media figures.
"We bow to no kings in America," reads the No Kings website's call to action. Faith leaders like Rev. Paul Raushenbush of Interfaith Alliance emphasized nonviolence: "This is joyous resistance – de-escalate, stay lawful, leave weapons at home." Organizers have trained participants in de-escalation tactics, underscoring a commitment to peaceful assembly under the First Amendment.
The June protests, held amid Trump's birthday parade, were hailed as a turning point, with international echoes amplifying the message. "We drowned out the tanks with voices," one ACLU spokesperson noted. This round builds on monthly actions like the March "Tesla Takedown" and July's "Free America Weekend."
The Trump administration has downplayed the events. In a Fox Business interview Thursday, the president quipped, "I'm not a king – I'm the people's choice." White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson accused protesters of living in an "alternate reality," vowing zero tolerance for "left-wing violence." Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have labeled the rallies a "hate America" effort, tying them to Democratic tactics prolonging the shutdown.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's recent deployment of armed troops to quell urban unrest drew sharp rebukes from Democrats, who likened it to monarchical suppression.
Critics worry about escalating tensions, especially with Florida's strict anti-riot laws and federal pushes to revoke visas of "anti-American" foreigners. Yet organizers remain defiant: "On October 18 and every day, we'll show the world what democracy looks like," said SEIU leader April Verrett.
As rain forecasts loom in parts of the Northeast and West Coast, the "No Kings" coalition urges participants to check nokings.org for updates, weather contingencies, and carpool options. Text "NOKINGS" to 63033 for local event details.
Whether it draws 5 million or 10, Saturday's actions signal a resilient opposition unwilling to cede ground. In an era of shutdowns and shutdowns of dissent, the streets will echo a simple truth: In America, the crown is worn by the people.
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