Thousands of protesters fill Times Square during a “No Kings” protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

...

Adeola Adeosun

By Adeola Adeosun

Weekend Night Editor

0

Share

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.


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.

Read More on News

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.

Alabama

People participate in a "No Kings" rally, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

...

People participate in a "No Kings" rally, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

...

People participate in a "No Kings" rally, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

...

Connecticut

Protesters carrying signs and waving to passing participate in No Kings Day at Playhouse Corner in Southbury, CT on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert E. Klein)

...

Protesters carrying signs participate in No Kings Day at Playhouse Corner in Southbury, CT on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert E. Klein)

...

Protesters carrying signs and waving to passing participate in No Kings Day as they are joined by Sam the Eagle and Barney the Dinasour at Playhouse Corner in Southbury, CT on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert E. Klein)

...

Florida

People line Gulf to Bay Boulevard holding signs and wave to traffic during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Clearwater. Fla.  (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

...

People line Gulf to Bay Boulevard holding signs and waving to traffic during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Clearwater, Fla.  (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

...

Teresa Clark, 51, of Palm Harbor wears a frog costume during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Clearwater, Fla.  (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

...

Illinois

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, arrives during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

...

People hold signs during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

...

People listen as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

...

Kansas

EMPORIA KS - OCTOBER 18: View of the No Kings protest in Emporia, Kansas on October 18, 2025. Credit: Mark Reinstein/MediaPunch /IPX

...

EMPORIA KS - OCTOBER 18: View of the No Kings protest in Emporia, Kansas on October 18, 2025. Credit: Mark Reinstein/MediaPunch /IPX

...

EMPORIA KS - OCTOBER 18: View of the No Kings protest in Emporia, Kansas on October 18, 2025. Credit: Mark Reinstein/MediaPunch /IPX

...

New York

EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - Protesters dressed like a Russian protest group Pussy Riot hold signs while marching in Times Square during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

...

Thousands of protesters fill Times Square during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

...

Protester dressed as Superman holds a sign during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

...

Washington, DC

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 18: Protesters march down Pennsylvania Avenue NW for the second "No Kings" protest in Washington on Saturday, October 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

...

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 18: Protesters march down Pennsylvania Avenue NW for the second "No Kings" protest in Washington on Saturday, October 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

...

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 18: Protesters march down Pennsylvania Avenue NW for the second "No Kings" protest in Washington on Saturday, October 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

...

Germany

A woman shows a poster as she participates in a pro-democracy, anti-Trump protest outside the US embassy at the Pariser Platz square in Berlin, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

...

A woman displays a "No Kings" sign as she participates in a pro-democracy, anti-Trump protest outside the US embassy at the Pariser Platz square in Berlin, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

...

People shout slogans as they participate in a pro-democracy, anti-Trump protest outside the US embassy at the Pariser Platz square in Berlin, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

...

Portugal

People take part in a No Kings protest organized by US citizens living in Portugal, in downtown Lisbon, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

...

EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - US citizens living in Portugal take part in a No Kings protest in downtown Lisbon, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

...

US citizens living in Portugal take part in a No Kings protest in downtown Lisbon, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

...

United Kingdom

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: A crowd of mainly American anti Trump protestors holds signs outside the US Embassy London during a "No Kings" protest against U.S. President Donald Trump at  on October 18, 2025 in London, England. The protests follow similar "No Kings" events in the United States. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images)

...

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: A crowd of mainly American anti Trump protestors holds signs outside the US Embassy London during a "No Kings" protest against U.S. President Donald Trump at  on October 18, 2025 in London, England. The protests follow similar "No Kings" events in the United States. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images)

...

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Protestors dressed as dinosaurs outside the US Embassy London during a "No Kings" protest against U.S. President Donald Trump at  on October 18, 2025 in London, England. The protests follow similar "No Kings" events in the United States. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images)

...

View 0 Comments

Request Reprint & Licensing

Submit Correction

View Editorial & AI Guidelines