Thousands Join Nationwide "No Kings" Protests Against Trump Policies Across US

2nd Nationwide "No Kings" Protests Draw Thousands Across US The second massive wave of protests against President Trump's policies took place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, with thousands gathering in cities across the United States. Organized by No Kings, a network of progressive organizations, the demonstrations aimed to highlight what protesters see as an increasingly monarchical behavior from the president. According to organizers, approximately 2,600 events were planned across nearly every state, surpassing the estimated 5 million attendees at their previous nationwide action in June. The protests drew widespread attention and support from international observers, who noted the parallels between Trump's policies and those of authoritarian regimes worldwide. "We're not just protesting against President Trump; we're fighting for a system that truly represents the people," said Maria Rodriguez, a No Kings organizer. "We want to remind everyone that our democracy is built on the principles of equality and accountability, not monarchy." The protests were marked by energetic demonstrations, with participants forming human banners, chanting slogans, and holding signs reading "No Kings" in bold letters. In Washington D.C., Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) addressed a crowd of thousands, emphasizing the need for collective action against what he termed "the erosion of democratic values." The protests drew significant attention from international observers, who noted the similarities between Trump's policies and those of authoritarian regimes worldwide. "This is not just an American issue; it's a global concern," said Dr. Amira El-Azhary, a Cairo-based human rights activist. "We see parallels with what's happening in Turkey, Hungary, and other countries where democratic institutions are being undermined." Background context reveals that No Kings has been organizing protests since June 2025, when they first drew attention to Trump's policies on issues such as immigration, healthcare, and climate change. The network has gained momentum over the past few months, with growing support from progressive organizations and individuals worldwide. As the protests continue to gain traction, organizers are calling for sustained action and mobilization against what they see as an increasingly authoritarian administration. "We're not going anywhere," said Rodriguez. "We'll keep pushing until we see real change." The next nationwide protest is scheduled for November 15, 2025, with No Kings organizers promising even larger crowds and more energetic demonstrations. By the numbers: Approximately 2,600 events planned across nearly every state Estimated 5 million attendees at previous nationwide action in June Thousands gathered in cities across the US, including Washington D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago Sources: No Kings organizers Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Dr. Amira El-Azhary, Cairo-based human rights activist *Reporting by Npr.*