A recap of the mass anti-Trump protests : NPR

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Allison Robbert/AP One of many largest days of protest towards the Trump administration's insurance policies occurred on Saturday in cities across the U.S. The overriding theme of the marches was the accusation that President Trump is behaving extra like a monarch than an elected official.

It marked the second large wave of protests organized by No Kings — a community of progressive organizations combating towards Trump's agenda.

Organizers mentioned about 2,600 No Kings occasions had been deliberate throughout practically each state, and that it projected a much bigger turnout than the 5 million it mentioned attended its earlier nationwide motion in June.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1024x767+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa3%2Fb2%2Fd0c6e9cf4419a2da34bf4cfb607c%2Fgettyimages-2241509255.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1024x767+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa3%2Fb2%2Fd0c6e9cf4419a2da34bf4cfb607c%2Fgettyimages-2241509255.jpg" class="img" alt="This aerial picture shows protesters forming a human banner during the "No Kings" national day of protest on Ocean Beach in San Francisco, Calif. on Oct. 18, 2025." loading="lazy"/> This aerial image exhibits protesters forming a human banner throughout the "No Kings" nationwide day of protest on Ocean Seashore in San Francisco, Calif. on Oct. 18, 2025. Laure Andrillon/AFP through Getty Photos disguise caption

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Laure Andrillon/AFP through Getty Photos Energized by a slew of actions taken by the administration for the reason that summer time protests, the group cited widespread immigration detentions carried out by often-masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers, the administration's aggressive slashing of federal schooling assets and environmental protections, gerrymandering and different issues.

This is a recap of how the protests unfolded.

1. United in protests to 'shield America' Protesters confirmed as much as oppose a variety of points, together with the administration's immigration techniques and its push for federal and navy intervention in Democratic-led states as a solution to sort out crime. The variety of issues was strung collectively by the broader messaging of democracy, constitutional rights and the liberty the U.S. was based on.

In Washington, D.C., demonstrators crammed Pennsylvania Avenue close to the U.S. Capitol, many holding indicators that learn "No Kings, No Tyrants." Many individuals wore yellow, a colour organizers mentioned is to indicate unity.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F93%2F16%2Fafd655bc421491bfa48f7b6e7a34%2F251018-no-kings-turner-wamu-25.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F93%2F16%2Fafd655bc421491bfa48f7b6e7a34%2F251018-no-kings-turner-wamu-25.JPG" class="img" alt="Large crowds gathered in downtown Washington, D.C., on Saturday for the “No Kings” rally." loading="lazy"/> Massive crowds gathered in downtown Washington, D.C., on Saturday for the "No Kings" rally. Tyrone Turner/ WAMU disguise caption

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Tyrone Turner/ WAMU Uriah Kitchen of Delaware, who attended the protest along with his son Elijah, informed NPR "we made a pledge of allegiance after we had been at school and that is what it is all about."

"This is the reason we're right here, we're right here to guard America," Kitchen mentioned.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an Unbiased who caucuses with Democrats, addressed D.C. protesters in remarks slamming tech billionaires who he mentioned have grow to be richer and extra highly effective since Trump grew to become president. Sanders singled out Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg "and the opposite multibillionaires who had been sitting proper behind Trump when he was inaugurated."

On the West Coast in San Pablo, Calif., Maria Floriano attended a No Kings occasion with immigration on her thoughts. Sporting a hat and shirt adorned with butterflies, she in contrast immigration to butterflies and mentioned "migration is gorgeous" and "an act of braveness."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1024x683+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F28%2Fa91a7cc84f00be4f352fd63162c6%2Fgettyimages-2241591679.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1024x683+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F28%2Fa91a7cc84f00be4f352fd63162c6%2Fgettyimages-2241591679.jpg" class="img" alt="Protesters rally during the "No Kings" national day of protest in Kansas City, Mo. on Oct. 18, 2025." loading="lazy"/> Protesters rally throughout the "No Kings" nationwide day of protest in Kansas Metropolis, Mo. on Oct. 18, 2025. Austin Casey Johnson/AFP through Getty Photos disguise caption

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Austin Casey Johnson/AFP through Getty Photos "We would like them to know that there are folks combating for them, that not everybody feels that they are not welcome right here," Floriano mentioned, noting the protest was held in a Bay Space group dwelling to a big inhabitants of immigrants.

2. The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers weighed in Home Speaker Mike Johnson slammed Saturday's protests as a "hate America rally," and different Republicans have derided the occasion as anti-American.

Responding to NPR's questions concerning the protests, White Home spokeswoman Abigail Jackson mentioned: "Who cares?"

Trump was not on the White Home throughout the protests however on a go to to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Connecticut Home Republican Chief Vincent Candelora informed Connecticut Public that he thought of the "No Kings" messaging of the protests "divisive." He additionally does not share protesters' issues however helps their proper to train their First Modification rights.

"I believe our democracy continues to be sturdy as ever — however, you understand, they're free to precise themselves," Candelora mentioned.

3. Peaceable protesting with tune and dance Regardless of the numerous criticisms that anti-Trump protesters got here to evangelise, there have been shows of optimism, hope and whimsy in a number of cities.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1024x683+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2F12%2F9640d43d40faaf51742cea0d08cc%2Fgettyimages-2241490499.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1024x683+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2F12%2F9640d43d40faaf51742cea0d08cc%2Fgettyimages-2241490499.jpg" class="img" alt="Protesters wear blow up costumes for the "No Kings" protest in Memphis, Tenn. on Oct. 18, 2025." loading="lazy"/> Protesters put on blow up costumes for the "No Kings" protest in Memphis, Tenn. on Oct. 18, 2025. Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Photos disguise caption

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Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Photos Impressed by protesters in Portland, Ore., folks in Los Angeles, Hartford, Conn., and elsewhere confirmed as much as march in inflatable animal costumes. Track and dance broke out in Salt Lake Metropolis and different cities.

As with the earlier mass No Kings protests, revolutionary messaging confirmed up in demonstrators' clothes, chants and indicators as protesters sought to remind folks that America was based in opposition to monarchy.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1024x683+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0d%2F8a%2F64795f844883bfc9448f3c4d6e05%2Fgettyimages-2241465933.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1024x683+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0d%2F8a%2F64795f844883bfc9448f3c4d6e05%2Fgettyimages-2241465933.jpg" class="img" alt="People participate in a "No Kings" national day of protest in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Oct 18, 2025." loading="lazy"/> Folks take part in a "No Kings" nationwide day of protest in West Palm Seashore, Fla. on Oct 18, 2025. Chandan Khanna/AFP through Getty Photos disguise caption

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Chandan Khanna/AFP through Getty Photos In Macon, Ga., protesters belted "The Story of Tonight" from the musical Hamilton — a tune concerning the significance of sacrifice and solidarity right this moment for the sake of freedom tomorrow.

The protests had been largely peaceable. Police in New York Metropolis and Washington, D.C., the place rallies drew among the day's largest crowds, mentioned no protest-related arrests had been made.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F15%2Fdf%2F521a7097468ea94c49b396dcb94d%2Fap25291551721522.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F15%2Fdf%2F521a7097468ea94c49b396dcb94d%2Fap25291551721522.jpg" class="img" alt="Thousands of protesters fill Times Square during a "No Kings" protest." loading="lazy"/> Hundreds of protesters fill Instances Sq. throughout a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in New York. Olga Fedorova/AP disguise caption

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Olga Fedorova/AP Republican Govs. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and Greg Abbott of Texas mobilized their states' Nationwide Guards in preparation for the protests.

"The Governor has approved state lively responsibility for coaching to assist make sure the Guard might be prepared to reply if wanted to assist maintain folks secure," Youngkin spokesman Peter Finocchio wrote in a press release to VPM.

The Texas Newsroom reported that Abbott mentioned in a press release of sending the Guards to Austin: "Violence and destruction won't ever be tolerated in Texas." The newsroom additionally reported that state troopers had been stationed at entrances to the Capitol grounds inspecting baggage however protesters mentioned the legislation enforcement presence felt smaller than the earlier "No Kings" occasion in June.