The recent demonstrations were characterized by a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere, with participants often adorned in costumes or accompanied by whimsical inflatable figures.
In Newark, Delaware, the No Kings protest attracted a diverse group of demonstrators. The scene included individuals dressed in playful outfits, such as a person in a pink inflatable unicorn costume holding a sign that read “Resisting Kings since 1776,” and another wearing a blue Cookie Monster t-shirt. Signs declaring “NO KINGS!” and “DEMOCRACY” were also prominently displayed.
The dynamic crowd comprised a wide range of participants, from parents with strollers to retirees and even those with their pets.
Remarkably, the event proceeded without any significant reports of disorderly conduct.
“There is nothing more American than saying, ‘We don’t have kings’ and exercising our right to peacefully protest,” said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, a progressive organisation that led planning of the events.
Demonstrators dressed up at the No Kings protest at the national Mall in Washington DC. Source: AP / Jose Luis Magana
Demonstrators filled Times Square in New York City, where police said they made “zero protest-related arrests” even as more than 100,000 people rallied peacefully across all five boroughs.
On the West Coast, more than a dozen rallies occurred around the Los Angeles area, including the primary site downtown.
An attendee of Los Angeles’ No Kings protest dressed up as Uncle Sam, a figure commonly used to personify the United States or its federal government. Source: Getty / Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times
In Seattle, demonstrators filled a parade route that stretched for more than a mile from downtown through the Seattle Center plaza around the city’s landmark Space Needle.
More than 25,000 protested peacefully in San Diego, police said.
‘Against the overreach of power’
In Washington, demonstrators filled the street as they marched toward the US Capitol, chanting and carrying signs, US flags and balloons. Many people — and their dogs — wore costumes in a peaceful, carnival-style atmosphere.
“Lock her up” — a catch-cry of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton — is reinterpreted by a protester in Phoenix, Arizona. Source: Getty / Alexandra Buxbaum /Sipa USA
Four marchers dressed in prison stripes and large caricature heads of Trump and other officials displayed a sign saying “Impeach Trump Again”.
Protester Aliston Elliot, wearing a Statue of Liberty headpiece and holding a No Wannabe Dictators sign, said: “We want to show our support for democracy and for fighting (for) what is right. I’m against the overreach of power.”
As in many other places, Washington DC’s No Kings rally featured costumed protesters. Source: Getty / Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call / Sipa USA
Events in New York City, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta also drew large crowds. In downtown Houston, US Marine Corps veteran Daniel Aboyte Gamez, 30, joined a few hundred other protesters.
“I don’t understand what’s going on in this nation right now,” said Gamez, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. “As a Marine Corps vet, I understand that the United States was founded upon action against tyrants, against kings.”
A protester with a somewhat corny message at the No Kings protest in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Source: AAP / USA TODAY / Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / Imagn Images / Sipa USA
Kevin Brice, 70, a military veteran among thousands of protesters streaming into the riverfront area of Portland, Oregon, wore a black sweatshirt emblazoned with the slogan “No Kings since 1776.”
“I’m embarrassed that we have federal agents in masks arresting people in the streets. I’m embarrassed that we’re talking about using the military against civilians. I’m embarrassed that it’s OK to lie and make stuff up,” Brice said. “So even though I’m a lifelong Republican, I don’t support the direction the party is going.”
Trump, Republicans respond
In one, he is shown wearing a crown and piloting a fighter jet that drops what appears to be faeces on anti-Trump protesters.
Credit: Truth Social / Donald J Trump
In an interview with Fox Business aired on Friday, he said that “they’re referring to me as a king — I’m not a king.”
Democrats back grassroots movement
Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent, and US representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat, have backed the marches along with former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump.