On Saturday, October 18, mass demonstrations took place in all 50 US states under the slogan “No Kings” — against the policies of President Donald Trump.
According to The Guardian, millions of people took to the streets to defend democracy and oppose the concentration of power in the hands of the head of state.
According to the organizers’ estimates, several large demonstrations took place simultaneously in more than 2,600 locations across the country. The largest rallies took place in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Houston. More than 200,000 people took part in the US capital alone, and up to 15,000 in Houston.
Participants held posters with slogans such as “Democracy, not dynasty” and “No Kings in America.” People took to the streets demanding an end to what they consider to be the president’s “usurpation of power” and to protect the US Constitution.
The slogan “No Kings” has become a symbol of resistance to what protesters call Trump’s “monarchical tendencies” — following his statements about tightening control over the military, the media, and the judicial system.
This is the second major wave of protests with this slogan — the previous one took place in June, on the day of the 250th anniversary of the US Army and the president’s birthday.
The authorities ensured increased security measures in large cities, but according to American media reports, the protests were peaceful, with no serious incidents.
Political observers note that the “No Kings” protests could become one of the largest social movements in the US in recent years — and a sign of the deep polarization of American society.