Massive “No Kings” Protests swept through Los Angeles and hundreds of cities across the United States on Saturday, as millions rallied against Donald Trump’s administration, mass deportations, and what organizers call an “authoritarian agenda.”

Nearly seven million people marched nationwide — one of the largest demonstrations of the year. 

Coinciding with Independence Day, the protests took place in more than 2,700 locations across the country. From bustling cities to small rural towns, demonstrators united under the slogan “No Kings,” a direct rebuke of Trump’s governing style, which they see as an assault on democratic norms. 

In Los Angeles, thousands gathered outside a federal building guarded by Marines and National Guard troops. Wearing costumes and waving flags, protesters denounced ICE raids and the militarization of American streets.

“We’re watching the country we love slip toward authoritarianism,” said Hailey, a 24-year-old dressed as a frog, referencing Portland activists who faced federal forces in 2020. 

While the demonstrations were largely peaceful, isolated clashes occurred in the South, where counterprotesters tried to disrupt the marches. The Indivisible Project — the group behind the nationwide coordination — said over 70,000 volunteers were trained in nonviolent safety and de-escalation. “Yellow is our symbol of unity, a reminder that America belongs to its people, not to kings,” read a movement flyer. 

Chants of “This is what democracy looks like” and “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here” echoed from California to New York.

Peggy Cole, a retired government worker from Michigan, drove nearly ten hours to attend. “Trump is dismantling our democracy piece by piece. We can’t just sit by,” she said. Others, like Joan Press in Atlanta, defended free speech: “In a democracy, the people must be heard — we won’t be silenced.” 

Immigration enforcement has become a central grievance fueling the protests. Recent federal raids and Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles and other Democrat-led cities have drawn sharp criticism. Sitting outside Los Angeles City Hall, Gilberto Beas summed it up: “We’re here to tell ICE to stop. We don’t want more families torn apart.” 

Politicians’ moves against Trump

María Rivera Cummings, an Angeleno of Mexican descent, waved a U.S. flag alongside a sign reading “We Are All Immigrants.” In Chicago, the actor John Cusack denounced Trump’s push to militarize cities: “You can’t create chaos just to cling to power. Our democracy is not for sale,” he said to roaring applause. 

In Atlanta, Senator Raphael Warnock led a major rally condemning the president’s efforts to expand executive power. “This isn’t about power at the top — it’s about power in the people,” he told the crowd. 

Many protesters also voiced concerns over cuts to health and social programs amid a government shutdown. Thousands of furloughed federal workers joined the marches, including Anthony Lee of the Food and Drug Administration. “I’ve been a public servant for 20 years. Watching our government being dismantled is terrifying,” he said. 

Social worker Elizabeth Nee from Maryland described how funding cuts are already affecting hospitals. “We see more patients without housing or Medicaid coverage — everything is at risk right now,” she said. 

In Washington, Senator Bernie Sanders closed the day with a fiery speech against the billionaire elite. “This moment isn’t just about one man’s greed — it’s about a handful of billionaires hijacking our democracy to enrich themselves,” he declared, naming Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. 

The “No Kings” Protests captured a broad cross-section of American discontent — retirees, students, federal workers, and civil rights advocates alike. From coast to coast, millions marched under one message: the defense of democracy. 

A hand-painted sign in Los Angeles summed it up best: “We may be tired, but we are not defeated. America has no kings.”