The "No Kings Day" protest was a massive coordinated demonstration primarily held on June 14, 2025, across more than 2,100 cities and towns in the United States, with additional protests in U.S. territories and about 20 other countries. It was organized by a coalition of progressive groups such as Indivisible, the ACLU, Democrats Abroad, and many others. The protest was designed to oppose the policies and actions of President Donald Trump during his second presidency, particularly in response to what organizers and participants described as authoritarian tendencies, democratic backsliding, harsh immigration enforcement and deportations, and the militarization of U.S. democracy. The name "No Kings Day" reflected opposition to Trump's portrayal of himself as a king or monarch, emphasizing that power belongs to the people in a democracy. The protests coincided with two major events:
- The U.S. Army's 250th Anniversary military parade held in Washington, D.C., which Trump prominently celebrated on his 79th birthday.
- Trump's birthday itself, with the timing viewed by protesters as symbolic of Trump's autocratic style.
The scale was historic, with estimated participation ranging from 4 to 6 million people in the U.S. alone, making it one of the largest single-day protests in American history. The largest events included a flagship demonstration in Philadelphia and tens of thousands in major cities like New York and Los Angeles. International solidarity protests took place as well, sometimes titled "No Dictators" or "No Tyrants" in countries with monarchies to avoid confusion with anti-monarchist messages. The protests were mostly peaceful and aimed to send a strong message that democracy belongs to "the people, not kings," rejecting authoritarianism and the concentration of power symbolized by the military parade and the president's actions. Trump publicly opposed the protests and warned that protestors would be met with force if they confronted the parade in D.C. However, no protests were organized in Washington, D.C. itself to avoid direct confrontations. In summary, the "No Kings Day" protest was a widespread grassroots movement on June 14, 2025, rejecting perceived authoritarianism during Trump's second term, coinciding with a militarized celebration of the U.S. Army's anniversary and Trump's birthday, drawing millions bearing messages of protecting democracy and opposing concentration of power in a single individual. This movement also drew inspiration from democratic and civil rights values, linking the event to broader historical struggles for just and equitable governance. This overview is based on comprehensive reporting and official accounts from organizers and eyewitness descriptions of the protests.
