Millions March in ‘No Kings’ Protests Against Trump’s Policies

Protests erupted across the United States on March 16, 2024, as an estimated seven million people participated in the ‘No Kings’ rallies, aimed at denouncing what many view as President Donald Trump‘s authoritarian agenda. Demonstrations took place in over 2,700 cities nationwide, marking one of the largest collective actions in U.S. history, according to Reuters.

In New York City, more than 100,000 protesters took to the streets, marching down Broadway from Times Square. They waved flags, carried satirical signs, and chanted, “No kings, no tyrants, just democracy!” The atmosphere was described as a “carnival-like scene of patriotic defiance.” Among the demonstrators was Nadja Rutkowski, a German-born activist who immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 14. She expressed her fears of history repeating itself, stating, “I come from a country where what is happening now has happened already before — in 1938.”

Rutkowski’s sentiments resonated with many. Her dog, Bella, accompanied her as she voiced concern over what she perceives as the rise of authoritarianism. “People are being snatched up from the streets. We see it happening in real time. So we’ve got to stand up,” she added. The protests served as a collective rejection of what many participants termed “the tyranny of today’s White House.”

Placards at the protests mixed humor with anger. One sign read, “I like my Manhattan straight up, no ICE,” critiquing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency accused of aggressive detentions. Colleen Hoffman, 69, who attended the rally with her grandchildren, stated, “The cruelty of this regime, the aura of authoritarianism — if we don’t stick together and raise our voices, then we’ve surrendered to it. I refuse to surrender.”

Despite the significant turnout, no arrests were reported in major cities, including New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles. Broadway transformed into a vibrant river of creativity as protesters donned costumes and carried handmade banners. One man dressed as the baseball mascot Mr. Met, waving a sign that read “No Kings But Queens.”

The protests also resonated with the performing arts community. Gavin Michaels, a 26-year-old actor starring in an off-Broadway play about the rise of Nazi Germany, noted the relevance of his role to current events. “In the play, I’m a young soldier easily seduced by promises of a job and health care. You see the administration pulling health care away from people while offering bonuses to join ICE. It’s eerie,” he said. Despite the serious undertones, Michaels expressed hope, stating, “It’s exciting to see other people who care. We spend so much of our lives online. It’s powerful to actually be out here, standing for something.”

The American flag emerged as a symbol of unity among the protesters. Mike Misner draped the Stars and Stripes across his shoulders, proclaiming, “I want to say this is our flag too. The far right has made the flag theirs, as if they’re the only ones who can be patriotic. But our country is under attack — and this flag represents democracy.”

Similar demonstrations unfolded in other cities across the U.S. and internationally. In Chicago, an estimated 100,000 demonstrators marched for 22 blocks, with Mayor Brandon Johnson urging citizens to protect democratic rights. In Washington D.C., Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the crowd, stating, “This is not a hate-America rally; it’s a love-America rally.” Protests also spread to cities like London, Paris, and Rome, organized by Democrats Abroad.

Social media buzzed with clips from the protests, with commentator Harry Sisson posting, “NO KINGS NYC is huge. Tens of thousands have shown up to protest Trump and his regime. This is what democracy looks like.” His video clip garnered over 745,000 views.

At the White House, President Trump dismissed the protests, telling Fox News, “I’m not a king.” House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the rallies as “hate-America events,” while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy claimed, without evidence, that they were “foreign-funded shows of defiance.” Analysts noted that the scale and peaceful nature of the ‘No Kings’ movement challenged these assertions.

According to USA Today, while the protests may not have led to immediate policy changes, they represented a significant moment in contemporary civic activism. From Times Square to Paris, millions conveyed a unified message: America belongs to its people, not to a king.