The third wave of the "No Kings" movement swept across the United States and global capitals on Saturday, as massive crowds gathered to protest the policies of President Donald Trump.
Organizers estimated that more than eight million demonstrators took to the streets nationwide. The rallies focused on a myriad of grievances, including the ongoing war in Iran, stringent immigration enforcement, and the skyrocketing cost of living.
"Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people - not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies," event organizers declared in a statement.
The White House quickly dismissed the massive turnout. A spokesperson mocked the gatherings as "Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions," claiming the only people genuinely interested in the events were the journalists paid to cover them.
While the sheer scale of the demonstrations was evident, official attendance figures remain unverified. Throngs of protesters packed the National Mall and lined the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Echoing previous "No Kings" marches, demonstrators hoisted effigies of Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other administration officials, with many demanding their resignation and arrest.
A Focal Point in Minnesota
One of the most emotionally charged rallies unfolded outside the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota. The state became a flashpoint for anti-administration sentiment following the January deaths of two American citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, during an encounter with federal immigration agents.
The tragedy galvanized nationwide outrage over the administration's aggressive immigration tactics. On Saturday, a host of prominent Democratic figures addressed the Minnesota crowd, while rock legend Bruce Springsteen took the stage to perform his protest anthem, "Streets of Minneapolis."
Celebrities and Street Closures in New York
In New York City, police were forced to close off sections of Midtown Manhattan as thousands of marchers flooded Times Square.
Actor and outspoken Trump critic Robert De Niro joined the New York crowds, telling reporters that citizens have a moral obligation to resist the current administration.
"I think more people are starting to see that with this guy, it gets worse and worse and worse every day," De Niro said. "Now we're in a war. The next thing is, what he'll do is put troops on the ground. He's crazy."
De Niro urged peaceful but unwavering resistance, adding, "We have to stand up to him, to the regime, fight it with everything... We have no choice." The rhetoric follows a history of bad blood between the two; just last month, Trump took to Truth Social to label the actor a "sick and demented person" with "an extremely Low IQ."
Clashes and Arrests in Key Cities
While largely peaceful, tensions boiled over in some locations. In Los Angeles, the Department of Homeland Security reported that a crowd of roughly 1,000 individuals surrounded the Roybal Federal Building. Two people were arrested after allegedly hurling cement blocks at federal officers, who required medical treatment.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed additional arrests near a federal prison after protesters ignored dispersal orders. Federal authorities deployed non-lethal measures to prevent the crowd from tearing down security gates.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, authorities made several arrests following scuffles between "No Kings" marchers and counter-protesters who attempted to blockade the streets.
The demonstrations were not limited to U.S. soil. American expats also organized solidarity rallies in major European cities, including London and Paris, to voice their opposition from abroad.