Millions of people took to the streets across the United States and parts of Europe on Saturday in coordinated “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump and the ongoing war in Iran, marking one of the largest waves of demonstrations in recent months.
The protests spanned all 50 US states, with organisers registering more than 3,100 events. From major cities like New York to smaller towns such as Driggs in Idaho, crowds gathered to voice opposition to what they described as authoritarian tendencies and controversial policy decisions.
Minnesota emerged as a focal point of the demonstrations, where thousands assembled at the State Capitol in St. Paul. Protesters carried placards and symbolic imagery, including inverted US flags, traditionally used as a sign of distress.
According to organisers, earlier rounds of the “No Kings” movement had drawn over 5 million participants in June and 7 million in October. For the latest mobilisation, turnout was expected to reach around 9 million, although final figures are yet to be confirmed.
Quoting organisers, BBC World reported that the protests were driven by concerns over democratic values. “Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people — not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies,” they said.
“Those of us who are standing up for American values are united in our anger, but also in our love for each other and our love for this country,” California-based KQED quoted Joey Raff, an organizer with Oakland’s “No Kings” protest as saying.
The White House, however, dismissed the demonstrations, with a spokesperson describing them as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions” and downplaying their significance.
Adding a cultural dimension to the protests, musician Bruce Springsteen performed in Minnesota, debuting a song inspired by recent incidents involving federal agents and public protests. Addressing the crowd, he said the continued public resistance offered hope for the country.
Demonstrations also took on creative forms in several locations. In Topeka, Kansas, protesters used satire and costumes to express dissent, while others travelled between cities to participate in multiple rallies.
The widespread protests underscore growing domestic and international criticism of US policies amid escalating tensions in West Asia, as public mobilisation continues to shape the political discourse.
