What is the ‘No Kings’ protest about?

Across thousands of cities in the United States, organizers are preparing for what could become the largest coordinated protest in American history. On October 18, 2025, millions are expected to participate in the “No Kings” demonstrations, a national day of protest aimed at voicing discontent with President Donald Trump’s administration and celebrating the enduring right to free speech.

The “No Kings” movement, which began earlier this year, first captured global attention on June 14, 2025, when millions of Americans gathered to protest what they described as growing threats to democracy and the rule of law. That initial wave of demonstrations—spanning more than 2,000 locations nationwide—was one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history.

Independent analysts from the Crowd Counting Consortium, led by scholars at Harvard University and the University of Connecticut, estimated that between 2 million and 4.8 million people participated in the first “No Kings” rally. Organizers claimed the number was even higher—closer to 5 million—placing it alongside the most significant public mobilizations in modern history, such as the Women’s March of 2017 and the March for Our Lives in 2018.

Now, four months later, organizers say momentum has only grown. “This will be the single biggest day of peaceful protest America has ever seen,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, one of the key groups behind the event. “People have become far more aware, far more determined to make their voices heard about what’s going wrong in this administration.”

The rallies are planned in over 2,500 locations, from major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles to smaller towns in the Midwest and South. Participants plan to highlight a range of issues—from voting rights and government accountability to free speech and social justice.

While official attendance figures won’t be known until after the demonstrations, experts anticipate that the turnout could surpass previous records. Political science professor Jeremy Pressman, who co-founded the Crowd Counting Consortium, said his team will once again analyze satellite images, videos, social media reports, and on-ground data to estimate participation.

“This level of civic engagement reflects how technology and social media have transformed activism,” Pressman explained. “What used to take years to organize can now happen nationwide in just weeks.”

Historically, mass protests in the U.S. have served as a barometer of public sentiment. The Women’s March in 2017 mobilized between 3.2 and 5.2 million participants across the nation in opposition to Trump’s rhetoric and policies, while the March for Our Lives in 2018 drew over 2 million people calling for stricter gun control laws following the Parkland school shooting.

If predictions hold true, the October “No Kings” rallies could eclipse both events, solidifying their place in history as the largest coordinated demonstration of the modern era.

As millions prepare to march under the banner of “No Kings,” one message remains clear: the movement is not just about opposition—it’s about reclaiming the idea of a government accountable to its people, not a ruler above them.

FAQs

Q1: What is the ‘No Kings’ protest about?
The “No Kings” protest is a nationwide movement advocating for democracy, government accountability, and freedom of speech, with participants largely opposing the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.

Q2: When is the protest taking place?
The next wave of protests is scheduled for October 18, 2025, with demonstrations expected in more than 2,500 cities across the United States.

Q3: How many people are expected to participate?
Organizers estimate millions could take part, potentially surpassing the 5 million turnout recorded during the June 2025 protests.

Q4: Who is behind the organization of the protest?
Several advocacy groups, including Public Citizen, are coordinating the event, supported by grassroots volunteers across the nation.

Q5: What happened during the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June 2025?
The first protest drew millions and marked one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history, coinciding with Trump’s birthday and a military parade in Washington, D.C.