Demonstrators “They don’t get it—we’re all kings, not just him.”
Demonstrators That statement captures the sentiment that drove George Atkinson, an 89-year-old retired high school government teacher, to join a protest in downtown Houston over the weekend. With a sign taped to his walker reading, “The clothes have no emperor! He’s all hat and no cattle!” Atkinson made his views unmistakably clear.
Demonstrators “I’ve opposed fascism my entire life,” Atkinson said. “And I can tell you right now, if the people who support Trump were in my class, they would’ve failed.”
Demonstrators Organized in opposition to what participants described as creeping authoritarianism, the rallies were a direct response to the expansion of executive power, rising billionaire influence in politics, and the increasing militarization of American public life.
Demonstrators Major cities saw significant turnouts. Officials reported crowds exceeding 50,000 in New York City and more than 20,000 in Los Angeles.
Demonstrators Many events were organized in coordination with local authorities and remained peaceful throughout the day. However, the rallies came on the heels of more than a week of unrest in Los Angeles sparked by immigration enforcement actions. Those earlier protests prompted a rare move by the president: the federalization of the National Guard and deployment of Marines, escalating national tensions.
Demonstrators Across the country, people gathered to voice their fears and call for action.
Demonstrators ‘We’re Defending Democracy’
Protesters frequently invoked the idea of democracy—not as a vague ideal, but as something tangible they believe is under serious threat.
“What we’re seeing isn’t just politics as usual—it’s the early stages of a slide into authoritarianism,” said Stephen Nunez, who joined the protest in New York. “For years, people thought we were exaggerating. But look at what’s happening—Democratic lawmakers are being arrested, people are being killed, and the military is being used against civilians.”
In Atlanta, the message was clear and loud. Crowds chanted “No kings in America!” while waving American flags and holding signs with slogans like “Our vets didn’t fight for fascism.”
Participants came from diverse backgrounds and age groups but were unified in their message: the country’s foundational values are being undermined, and silence is no longer an option.
As rallies unfolded from coast to coast, voices like Atkinson’s stood out—not just for their age, but for the deep-rooted conviction they carried. In his words and those of thousands around him, the message was clear: the American experiment was never meant to have kings, and the people intend to keep it that way.
‘No Kings’ Protesters Speak Out on Democracy, History, and Misplaced Priorities
“On a day where we honor the American flag and all it symbolizes, we’re also standing up to protect our democracy,” Weingarten said during the rally.
She emphasized that America was built on a foundational idea: that power comes from the people—not a monarch, not a dictator, and certainly not a privileged elite.
“This is the city where the Founding Fathers declared independence,” she added. “That’s why I’m here today—to reconnect with their message. When they said, ‘No taxation without representation,’ and told King George he didn’t rule over them, they set the tone for what America should be.”
Thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, protester Debbie Whaley brought her own historical perspective to the demonstration. Whaley, who immigrated to the U.S. from London at the age of 10, said she left behind a monarchy—and doesn’t want to see another one rise in the country she now calls home.
Whaley, a veteran protester who first marched against the Vietnam War in the 1960s, said her sense of alarm about the country’s political direction keeps her active. “I’m scared about where we’re headed. But my outrage outweighs my fear. That’s why I’m out here today—for democracy.”
In Philadelphia, Dennis Hannan took a more theatrical approach to make his point—dressing up as Elvis Presley, complete with rhinestones and slicked-back hair. His message? “I’m the only American king,” he joked.
Beneath the humor, Hannan had a serious motivation. “I have three daughters and five grandkids. I want them to grow up in a country where their voices matter, where they have equal rights and the freedom to choose their future.”
Criticism of Costly Celebrations
While many protesters focused on democracy and executive power, others took aim at the military parade itself—criticizing the cost and questioning its purpose.
The parade, which marked the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and coincided with former President Donald Trump’s birthday, is believed to have cost taxpayers around $45 million.
In Atlanta, social worker Renee Hall-George voiced her frustration.
“That money could have been used for things that actually help people,” she said.
“The military parade disgusts me,” Brozgold said. “It’s a massive waste of resources. Honestly, I hope it rains all over his parade.”
Although Washington, D.C., did see some light drizzle during the event, the celebrations carried on as planned. The former president had earlier vowed that the parade would proceed “rain or shine.”
From coast to coast, the “No Kings” movement united people from vastly different walks of life—but with one common belief: the U.S. must reject authoritarianism and reaffirm the democratic ideals it was founded on.
Others criticized what they saw as the underlying message of the military-heavy spectacle in Washington, D.C., which featured a dramatic show of force including 28 Abrams tanks—each weighing approximately 70 tons—rolling through the streets of the capital.
Lyn Stubbs, a social worker protesting in Atlanta, said the display felt more like intimidation than celebration.
“It made me angry,” he said. “This is exactly the kind of thing you see in places like Russia or North Korea.”
“Even Eisenhower believed this wasn’t what America stands for,” Cutler said. “Our laws, our Constitution—those are supposed to be above any one person. This kind of show sends the wrong message and sets a dangerous precedent.”
Immigration Crackdown Sparks Outrage
For many protesters, their presence at the rallies was directly tied to growing frustration over the federal government’s hardline approach to immigration enforcement—particularly the recent crackdown on anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles.
Among them was Maria Rodriguez, who shared her personal connection to the issue. A recipient of the DACA program—also known as a “Dreamer”—Rodriguez said her identity as an American is not defined by paperwork.
“I came to this country when I was just five years old,” she said during the protest in Los Angeles.
Rodriguez said she felt especially compelled to attend the protest after witnessing recent events in Los Angeles—namely, the arrest of California union leader David Huerta during an anti-immigration raid demonstration, and the denial of entry to U.S. Representative Maxine Waters when she attempted to visit Huerta at a detention facility.
“When leaders trying to stand up for justice are silenced or blocked, it’s a wake-up call. Everything else can wait—this is the moment to fight for what’s right.”
“We all need to show up,” she added. “We need to speak out and send a clear message to Donald Trump and his supporters: what’s happening isn’t right.”
“My parents are immigrants,” she said. “So when I see these immigration raids and detentions, it’s incredibly personal and really stressful.”
She noted that many people without immigrant backgrounds may feel detached from the issue, but stressed that immigration policies impact real families every day.
One protester held a sign that read, “Ice in my margarita, not in my streets,” using humor to underscore a deeply serious issue. “It’s a heavy topic,” she said, “but sometimes a light-hearted approach can still make a strong point.”
Nearby in Philadelphia, Dennis Hannan—dressed in full Elvis attire—emphasized how central immigration was to the protest’s message.
“To me, it’s the most pressing issue right now,” Hannan said. “I think Donald Trump has completely lost perspective when it comes to immigration. Let’s be honest—none of us would be here if it weren’t for immigrants.”
At a rally in Los Angeles, Daniela Palma-Saracho, who described herself as the daughter of immigrants, carried a powerful message on her sign: “You can’t admire the flowers and ignore the hands that harvest them.” The words served as a pointed reminder of the essential role immigrants play in American life.
“That message really resonates with me,” said Daniela Palma-Saracho, reflecting on her protest sign. “So many people love to celebrate our culture—our food, our music, our traditions—but they ignore the very people who build and sustain that culture.”
In the same crowd, Rigo Ortega said he came to stand in solidarity with those who are silenced or living in fear.
“I’m here for the people who can’t speak up—the ones who can’t vote, the ones being deported and separated from their families,” Ortega said. We’re here to be their voice, because they’re too afraid to show up themselves.”
Standing Up for the Vulnerable
Other demonstrators focused on broader issues of social justice, particularly the impact of federal policies on marginalized communities.
In Houston, protester John Nicks shared his concerns about threats to social services. Living with a disability, Nicks said he felt personally targeted by proposed cuts to Medicaid and other support programs.
“I’m tired of Trump dismantling services that people like me rely on to live,” Nicks said. He referred to a large domestic policy package the administration has praised as a “beautiful bill”—but one that he fears would cause lasting harm.
John Nicks, who uses a wheelchair and lives with multiple disabilities, said he feels directly threatened by the administration’s policies.
In New York, protester Marta Schaaf-Gloria said her decision to join the demonstration was fueled by frustration over environmental rollbacks and government support for fossil fuel industries.
“We’ve watched Congress gut regulations meant to protect the environment,” she said. “There’s been a push to ramp up drilling, fund fossil fuel expansion, and pour tax dollars into subsidies that harm the planet.”
Schaaf-Gloria added that showing public resistance was crucial: “We need to make it clear to this administration that Americans oppose authoritarian control—and that we’re not staying silent.”