Washington | June 15 — In a sweeping show of dissent, millions took to the streets across the United States on Saturday under the banner of “No Kings,” protesting against President Donald Trump’s policies, especially his crackdown on immigration and perceived authoritarianism.
Demonstrators filled city centers, parks, and streets in both liberal strongholds and conservative corners — from New York and Portland to Salt Lake City and Culpepper, Virginia. While most rallies were peaceful, tensions flared in some locations, with isolated acts of violence, including shootings and clashes with police.
In Salt Lake City, one person was critically injured in a shooting during a downtown march. Police have detained three individuals, including the alleged shooter. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles and Portland, officers used tear gas and projectiles to disperse post-march crowds. LA police also engaged protesters with batons as demonstrators refused to vacate federal buildings.
Former Trump supporter Peter Varadi, now carrying a merged US-Mexico flag, expressed regret: “He’s taken this fascism to a new level.” Others, like C.C. Téllez from Bolivia, emphasized immigrants’ contributions: “If there was space for me, there’s space for others.”
Symbolism ruled the protests. Demonstrators waved American flags — some upside down — and Mexican flags. A giant Trump puppet wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet made its way through Washington, D.C., where about 200 rallied near Logan Circle. Protesters chanted “Trump must go now,” with some leading anti-Trump singalongs, including a reworked version of “Y.M.C.A.” calling the president a “con man.”
Hotspots of Protest:
- Philadelphia: Protesters held signs like “Fight oligarchy” and “Deport the mini-Mussolinis.”
- New York: Fifth Avenue saw thousands march with drums, flags, and suffragette-white-clad women distributing 250 small US flags.
- Charlotte, NC: Crowds chanted “No kings, no crowns, we will not bow down.”
- Austin, TX: Police temporarily shut down the Capitol grounds after threats to lawmakers; one suspect was arrested.
- Jackson, MS: Demonstrators in tinfoil crowns rallied to music and signs that read, “Honk if you never text war plans.”
- Portland: A protest outside an ICE building ended with officers declaring a riot, deploying flash bangs, and arresting multiple demonstrators.
Governors had called for calm and deployed the National Guard in anticipation of unrest. Marines in combat gear guarded federal buildings in LA — a first since being deployed Friday. Interactions ranged from selfies to hostile chants of “shame.”
The protests were sparked by recent federal immigration enforcement raids and Trump’s order to deploy military forces to Los Angeles. Organizers say the demonstrations aimed to resist authoritarianism and defend democracy.
In a statement after the day’s events, the No Kings Coalition said:
“Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don’t do kings.”
Despite instances of violence and arrests, the nationwide demonstrations marked one of the most coordinated displays of anti-Trump sentiment in recent years — a blend of patriotic imagery, immigrant voices, and mass civil resistance.
