Recent “No Kings” Protests Are Building Community Strength
Saturday, October 18, cities across the U.S. saw massive crowds hit the streets to lead anti-Trump administration protests. This acted as the second round of nation-wide action organized by “No Kings” and quickly became one of the biggest demonstrations against the Trump administration to date. The previous turnout of around 5 million for their June demonstration was topped this month with attendance of over 7 million spreading across more than 2,700 events planned in every single state in the U.S.
The protests observed were largely peaceful demonstrations. Using their voice instead of violence, those involved took to the streets with signs like “Resist Fascism”, chants, costumes, and several even dawned matching clothing colors as an expression of unity. In some of the more populated cities where these protests drew larger crowds, specifically New York City, Washington D.C., and Austin, police reported that no protest-related arrests were made.
Many Republicans and MAGA followers came out against the wide-spread protest, calling it anti-American, and House Speaker Mike Johnson even classified it as a “hate America rally.”
The increase in “No Kings” protesters is no surprise considering the administration’s recent actions that many are classifying as an abuse of power. The actions include heightened aggression relating to immigration enforcement efforts and detention centers, the federal and military takeovers of major cities, devastating federal funding cuts for education, health, science, and environmental protection, free speech and press threats, gerrymandering, and so on.
On its website, “No Kings” organizers put out a statement about the strength of their movement and relentless motivation.
“The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty,” wrote No Kings organizers.
Similar protests were even seen outside of the U.S. Many individuals gathered outside of U.S. embassies in places like Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid Rome, and Sweden, to denounce fascism and oppose dictatorships. In Toronto, more demonstrators were seen outside of the U.S. consulate equally taking part in protests.
How Will These Protests Help Make Change?
Protesting in general helps uphold citizens' right to free speech. When you actively participate in using your voice to stand up for what you believe in, you are strengthening your right to do so and weakening the threats against it.
The recent “No Kings” demonstrations speak up for those who can’t and for those who are being silenced. Before the protests began, political action committee Progressive Change Campaign Committee sent out an email containing a statement on who they are speaking up for.
“We’ll be in the streets for immigrant families under attack and for voters who are being silenced. For communities being terrorized by militarized policing,” the group wrote, “ for families who are about to lose their health insurance. And for every single person whose rights are threatened by this administration's cruelty.”
Protesting is about inspiring. The more people protests reach, the more people they can inspire to take action and think about themselves as active participants in democracy. This activation includes organizing more protests, reaching out to local and state government representatives, posting on social media, and informing others. When people see a movement that possesses a great deal of community strength they will feel inspired to join.
While a one-day event is not nearly enough to bring dramatic change to our government, the public's engagement in activism is part of the groundwork for greater change. Protests keep people caring about the issues at hand, they keep people informed, and most importantly they keep people united. Unity throughout adversity brings the strength needed to keep pushing back against challenging forces.
