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Trump, Donald

Massive Crowds Gather Across the Country for No Kings Protests

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Huge crowds gathered across the country on Saturday, October 18, for No Kings protests, where demonstrators spoke out in opposition to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdowns, domestic military deployments, and efforts to go after critics and political opponents. The protests were a striking measure of the unhappiness with Trump's second term, as polls show the president's approval rating is in negative territory. Demonstrators danced, held up punny protest signs, and dressed in costumes that have become symbolic of anti-ICE protests in Portland, Oregon.

Key Takeaways:

  • The No Kings protests were held in over 2,600 locations across the country, with the largest crowds gathering in Times Square in New York, Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, and Grant Park in Chicago.
  • Organizers estimated that nearly 7 million people attended the demonstrations, 2 million more than they estimated had attended the first round of No Kings rallies in June.
  • The protests were largely peaceful, with some crowds gathering outside ICE buildings in Portland and Broadview, Illinois, and a federal building in Los Angeles.
  • Republican governors had prepared their states for potential disorder, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deploying the state's National Guard to "surge forces" in Austin and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin authorizing members of the National Guard to be placed in "state active duty" status.
  • Democratic politicians, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Chris Murphy, took part in several No Kings protests, urging Republicans to "come back from their month-long vacation" and "end this shutdown."
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) criticized the protests, with Johnson calling them "anti-American" and Barrasso referring to them as a "radical, anti-America, 'No Kings' rally."

Statistics:

  • Nearly 7 million people attended the No Kings protests, according to organizers.
  • 2 million more people attended the demonstrations than the first round of No Kings rallies in June.
  • The protests were held in over 2,600 locations across the country.
  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deployed the state's National Guard to "surge forces" in Austin ahead of the protests.
  • Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin authorized members of the National Guard to be placed in "state active duty" status.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post, "Tens of thousands of protesters gather in major cities across the country to protest against President Trump"
  • Indivisible, statement on the No Kings website
  • The Washington Post, "DC police make no arrests at No Kings rally, but small groups remain outside federal buildings"
  • The New York Police Department, statement on Saturday afternoon
  • The D.C. police, statement on Saturday afternoon
  • Video: A new round of No Kings demonstrations took place in cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., New York and Chicago, on Oct. 18.

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