The "No Kings" protests are aimed at celebrating the 1st Amendment
By Sarah D. Wire
In the latest in a series of mass protests since President Donald Trump took office, "No Kings" rallies and marches will be held at more than 2,500 locations nationwide on Oct. 18.
The protests are meant as a celebration of free speech, the right to assemble and the First Amendment broadly. It is also an opportunity to push back against recent moves by Trump's administration including increased immigration enforcement, organizers say.
“This, without question, will be the single biggest day of protest in American history," said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, which is helping organize the rallies. “Since we last did this, people have become far more aware of what is going wrong with this administration."
Sarah D. Wire USA TODAY
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In the latest in a series of mass protests since President Donald Trump took office, "No Kings" rallies and marches will be held at more than 2,500 locations nationwide on Oct. 18.
The protests are meant as a celebration of free speech, the right to assemble and the First Amendment broadly. It is also an opportunity to push back against recent moves by Trump's administration including increased immigration enforcement, organizers say.
“This, without question, will be the single biggest day of protest in American history," said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, which is helping organize the rallies. “Since we last did this, people have become far more aware of what is going wrong with this administration."
Rallies, protests and marches will be held in big cities and small towns across the country. Protesters are being urged to wear yellow.
Asked for reaction to the protests Oct. 14, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson replied “Who cares?”
Where are the events?
The biggest protests are planned for outside the Capitol in Washington, DC, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Kansas City, San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans and Bozeman, Montana.
Most states have multiple, or even hundreds of, scheduled events.
Like other mass protests this year local activists have been urged to create their own events that reflect their community.
Sarah D. Wire USA TODAY
Show Caption
In the latest in a series of mass protests since President Donald Trump took office, "No Kings" rallies and marches will be held at more than 2,500 locations nationwide on Oct. 18.
The protests are meant as a celebration of free speech, the right to assemble and the First Amendment broadly. It is also an opportunity to push back against recent moves by Trump's administration including increased immigration enforcement, organizers say.
“This, without question, will be the single biggest day of protest in American history," said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, which is helping organize the rallies. “Since we last did this, people have become far more aware of what is going wrong with this administration."
Rallies, protests and marches will be held in big cities and small towns across the country. Protesters are being urged to wear yellow.
Asked for reaction to the protests Oct. 14, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson replied “Who cares?”
Where are the events?
The biggest protests are planned for outside the Capitol in Washington, DC, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Kansas City, San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans and Bozeman, Montana.
Most states have multiple, or even hundreds of, scheduled events.
Like other mass protests this year local activists have been urged to create their own events that reflect their community.
"It is truly a grassroots effort that depends on local leaders, that is how we've tried to design this. Literally anybody can start a No King's Day event, and we encourage it,” Levin said. “If you've got to drive more than 30 minutes or an hour, consider getting a few friends together and starting your own in your own hometown.”
Who is putting this on?
Groups organizing the No Kings protests include the ACLU, American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, SEIU and United We Dream.
Why is it called 'No Kings'?
The name "No Kings" comes from the organizers' belief that Trump is acting like a monarch rather than the leader of a democracy.
"America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people," their website says.