Thousands march in anti-Trump 'No Kings' protests

Thousands of people participated in the worldwide 'No Kings' protests against US President Donald Trump's immigration, education and security policies on Saturday. This was the third mass mobilization since Trump's return to the White House and comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organizers warn are a slide toward American authoritarianism.

⚡️ 7 MILLION across 2,700+ US cities participated in anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protests — organizers

‘One of the LARGEST single-day nationwide demonstrations in US history’ https://t.co/5vADkZxqIu pic.twitter.com/WPI8d7Pqj7

— RT (@RT_com) October 18, 2025

Hundreds gathered outside the US embassy in London and other cities across the world on Saturday as part of the first wave of “No Kings” protests, a global campaign against President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration, education and security. The demonstrations, organisers say, are a stand against what they describe as the president’s “autocratic ambitions.” Similar gatherings were reported in Madrid and Barcelona, while across the Atlantic, thousands prepared for marches in major US cities, suburbs and small towns.
Since taking office ten months ago, Trump has accelerated immigration crackdowns, threatened to cut federal funding for universities over pro-Palestinian protests and diversity policies, and authorised the deployment of National Guard troops in several states. His administration’s moves, critics say, have deepened social divides and threatened democratic norms.
The first ‘No Kings' protest took place in June, with turnout expected to increase during the current rally in the aftermath of some of Trump administration's controversial moves. These include the criminal persecution of the US President's political adversaries, the immigration raids, and deploying federal troops in multiple US cities.
The organising of the marches has been facilitated by around 300 grassroots groups, according to Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, the main organiser of the "No Kings" marches. The marches have been backed by several leaders, including Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent, and US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat, according to Reuters.
Trump himself has largely ignored the latest wave of protests, though in a Fox Business interview on Friday he said: “They’re referring to me as a king; I’m not a king.” The Republican Party is calling “Hate America” rallies. They rallied with signs like “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” or “Resist Fascism,” and in many places it looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the US Constitution’s “We The People,” preamble that people could sign, and protesters in frog costumes, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.