October 19, 2025

Hold tight, America! A huge wave of protests called the No Kings movement is sweeping the nation on Saturday, October 18, 2025. With over 2,500 locations joining in, millions of people will step out to say a big "No!" to authoritarian policies and to defend democracy and free speech. The No Kings protests started earlier this year and have become a fiery call against what organizers call "monarch-like behavior" by President Donald Trump. Their motto? "America has no kings." The movement is backed by more than 200 groups, including big names like the ACLU, Indivisible, SEIU, MoveOn, and Public Citizen. Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, even called it "the single biggest day of protest in American history." Why all the fuss? Organizers want to push back against Trump's immigration and enforcement actions that they say threaten democratic values. They want all of America to remember that power belongs to the people, not one ruler. The movement even asks participants to wear yellow, a vibrant symbol of unity borrowed from global pro-democracy actions. Where will the action be? Major cities across the country are set for big rallies: New York City’s Father Duffy Square from 11 AM to 1 PM, Washington D.C.’s National Mall from 10 AM to 2 PM, Atlanta’s Civic Center from 10 AM to 1 PM, Chicago’s Grant Park from noon to 2 PM, Las Vegas Federal Courthouse from 4 PM to 6 PM, Kansas City from 2 PM to 4 PM, and Indianapolis Statehouse south lawn from noon to 3 PM. And that’s just the headline lineup—the rallies will be everywhere! But not everyone is thrilled. The White House shrugged off the protests with spokesperson Abigail Jackson saying, "Who cares?" Republican leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson slammed the events as "hate-America rallies." Yet organizers insist these gatherings are peaceful, lawful, and all about protecting democracy. Safety is a top priority. Marshals will keep an eye on the rallies, and workshops have prepped participants on peaceful ways to protest. Attendees are urged to carry "know your rights" cards and follow legal steps to keep protests safe and strong. At heart, the No Kings protests are a colorful, loud reminder that America’s spirit is democratic, not royal. Borrowing from a political science theory called the "3.5% rule," organizers believe that if enough people (at least 3.5% of the population) unite peacefully, they can stop authoritarian moves. This weekend, millions will stand side by side, loud and bright in yellow, declaring, "Power belongs to the people!"

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Tags: No kings protest, Democracy, Donald trump, Free speech, Protest locations, Authoritarianism,