Crowds gathered in cities and small towns across the country on Sunday for the “No Kings” rallies, a coordinated day of protest aimed at rejecting authoritarianism and reaffirming democratic norms. The count of 8 million participants makes it the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.
In Minneapolis, Bruce Springsteen performed “Streets of Minneapolis”, telling a crowd of at least 100,000 that “federal troops brought death and terror to the streets of Minneapolis. They picked the wrong city.”
Gov. Tim Walz, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Jane Fonda and Joan Baez also spoke or performed.
Local officials in several cities reported minimal disruptions, noting that marches and gatherings were largely orderly. In places like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, protesters filled public squares and marched along designated routes, often drawing supportive honks and cheers from passing drivers. Law enforcement presence was visible but restrained, with authorities emphasizing their role in facilitating safe assembly.
Social media played a significant role in mobilizing participants, with hashtags tied to the rallies trending throughout the day. Photos and videos showed large, diverse crowds, including families, students, and older Americans, many waving flags and holding homemade posters with slogans like “Democracy, Not Dynasty” and “No Kings in America.”
While the rallies were largely peaceful, a few isolated counter-protests were reported, though no major clashes occurred. Officials said they were monitoring the situation but did not anticipate escalation.
Political analysts say the scale of Sunday’s turnout could signal heightened public engagement heading into a contentious election cycle. Organizers have already indicated that this will not be a one-off event, promising additional demonstrations and voter outreach efforts in the coming months.
No Kings Rally In L.A. DCN’s editor, Evan Hosie, pictured with pink inflatable.
For many who attended, the message was simple: the United States was founded on the rejection of monarchy, and they intend to keep it that way.