"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.”

 – Elie Wiesel

The “No Kings” protest of June 14, 2025, marked one of the largest and most symbolic anti-authoritarian demonstrations in recent U.S. history. Mobilized as a response to former President Donald Trump’s proposed military parade in Washington, D.C., the movement united millions of Americans and international allies under a simple yet potent message: democracy belongs to the people, not to kings.

This protest was not only about Trump’s birthday celebration but also about the ideology behind it. It was organized by progressive coalitions like Indivisible, ACLU, and MoveOn, and it opposed what activists called “monarchical pageantry” and “executive idolatry” (Shepherd). The name “No Kings” referenced the American founding ideal of resisting monarchic rule, directly contrasting Trump’s perceived authoritarian behavior.

Held across all 50 states and in over 20 countries, the movement drew an estimated five million participants. In Seattle alone, over 70,000 marched peacefully; in Los Angeles, the number crossed 200,000 (KNKX). The largest gatherings mirrored historical protests like the Women’s March and March for Our Lives in their grassroots organization and digital coordination.

The protest also served as a platform to demand tangible reforms. Protesters called for expanded voting rights, protection of civil liberties, and the rejection of policies aligned with Christian nationalism or immigrant criminalization (PBS NewsHour). Organizers quickly announced a follow-up: a July 17 protest commemorating civil rights icon John Lewis (Shepherd).

While largely peaceful, several cities saw police interventions and confrontations. In Salt Lake City, an isolated shooting wounded three demonstrators, and in Portland, tear gas was deployed to disperse a nighttime crowd (LiveNOW). Still, the movement remained predominantly nonviolent and disciplined.

The “No Kings” protest matters not simply because of its scale but because of its symbolism. It signaled that people  are capable of peaceful mass resistance rooted in democratic ideals. In a nation wrestling with political identity, the protest affirmed that power must remain accountable to the common  people rather than politicians 

This wasn't just a protest, it was the resistance America needed and the fight for the democracy they believe is lacking. This is what democracy is all about. And we should hope the whole world takes inspiration from this movement.

Works Cited

KNKX Staff. “Seattle’s No Kings Protest Saturday Among Largest in City History.” KNKX Public Radio, 16 June 2025. https://www.knkx.org

LiveNOW Staff. “No Kings Day Sees 5 Million Protesters Worldwide, Some Violence Reported.” LiveNOW from FOX, 14 June 2025. https://www.livenowfox.com

PBS NewsHour. “What to Know About ‘No Kings’ Protests Against Trump’s Policies.” PBS, 14 June 2025. https://www.pbs.org

Shepherd, Carrie. “No Kings Protest Organizers Announce July 17 as the Next Demonstration.” Axios, 17 June 2025. https://www.axios.com

VTDigger Staff. “Was the No Kings Protest the Biggest in Vermont History?” VTDigger, 19 June 2025. https://vtdigger.org