What are the 'No Kings' protests?
What are the anti-Trump, ‘No Kings’ protests planned across the US?
Demonstrations and marches against Trump policies are planned in more than 2,000 cities and towns this weekend.
A military personnel stands next to a CH-47 Chinook, ahead of the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday Festival and Parade in Washington on June 14, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland,
14 Jun 2025
Americans are taking to the streets on Saturday to protest United States President Donald Trump’s policies in thousands of locations across the country.
The “No Kings” protests will coincide with a military parade in Washington, DC, marking the US Army’s 250th anniversary, and with Trump’s 79th birthday.
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The demonstrations are planned after days of protests against immigration arrests in multiple US cities.
What are the No Kings protests?
Protesters planning to take part in the No Kings demonstrations said they oppose the Trump administration.
The organisers’ website said the administration has “defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services”.
Since Trump’s inauguration, the administration has sent immigrants to foreign prisons, set immigration arrest quotas, clashed with courts, slashed government jobs and proposed reductions to social services.
The website describes the protests as a “national day of defiance”.
The name of the protests is derived from opposition to one-person rule. “The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings,” the website said.
Where are the No Kings protests taking place?
The protests are planned in more than 2,000 cities and towns in all 50 US states as well as in Mexico, Australia, Malawi and some European countries, the organisers’ map shows.
The protesters plan to gather at a range of meeting spots, such as parks, community centres and public landmarks.
Major rallies are planned in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago and New York.
However, the organisers have deliberately left Washington, DC, off the map and protests will not be held there.
The reason they provide on their website is: “Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”
The protests are organised by a social media movement called 50501, which stands for “50 states, 50 protests, one movement”.
What time are the protests?
Times vary according to location and can be found on the organisers’ map.
Some locations will begin protesting early, such as Norman, Oklahoma, where the protest is to begin at 9am (14:00 GMT).
Others will start demonstrations in the evening. In Big Sur, a rugged region on California’s central coast, protests are to begin at 4:30pm (23:30 GMT).
When is the military parade, and what is expected?
On Saturday, the military parade and celebration in Washington, DC, are to begin about 6:30pm (22:30 GMT).
Tanks will roll through the streets of the US capital in the first military parade to be staged in the US since 1991 when a parade marked the end of the Gulf War under President George HW Bush.
Thousands of soldiers will take part in the parade along with hundreds of military aircraft and vehicles. Army officials have estimated the cost of the parade to be $25m to $45m.
Will the protests be peaceful?
The No Kings website said the protests are intended to be peaceful. “Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events,” it said.
However, the No Kings demonstrations are planned after days of protests in multiple US cities, beginning in Los Angeles, against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and Trump’s use of the military to quell protests.
The anti-immigration protests began on June 6 in Los Angeles after military-style ICE raids on several locations across the city, resulting in the detention of 44 people. While the protests in all cities have reportedly been largely peaceful, occasional clashes have led to injuries and further arrests. The immigration raids continue, and National Guard soldiers have been deployed in multiple cities. Trump has also sent Marines to Los Angeles.
Ahead of the "No Kings" protests, some Republican leaders have threatened demonstrators with prosecution if protests become violent, some even going as far as to mobilise National Guard forces in advance of the protests. This approach has attracted a large amount of criticism.
“Protests are tumultuous, and military forces are trained to kill,” Gregory Magarian, professor of law at Washington University’s School of Law in St Louis, Missouri.
What does Trump think about the No Kings protests?
When asked about the protests, Trump said at a White House news briefing on Thursday: “I don’t feel like a king, I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.”
The president’s allies and Republican lawmakers responded with laughter to his response.
“We’re not a king at all, thank you very much,” he said.
However, Trump has made use of this terminology himself in the past. In February, he posted on his Truth Social platform: “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”
Congestion pricing refers to fees levied on motorists entering cities. It is aimed at reducing road traffic and increasing the use of public transport. Trump wrote the post after Sean Duffy, his transportation secretary, wrote a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul ending the US Department of Transportation’s agreement with the state for congestion charging in Manhattan.
Shortly after, the White House shared a computer-generated photo of Trump wearing a crown on a fake Time magazine cover.
What do other Republicans say?
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Thursday that he ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 National Guard soldiers and 2,000 state police officers to help manage the anti-ICE protests in the state on the border with Mexico.
Abbott also deployed National Guard soldiers in San Antonio during protests against immigration enforcement actions there.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said during a news conference on Tuesday: “The minute you cross into attacking law enforcement, any type of rioting, any type of vandalism, looting, just be prepared to have the law come down on you.”
Republican South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released a video on his X account warning “extremist left-leaning groups” against causing disruptions in South Carolina. “If you attack our officers, destroy property, or threaten innocent lives in South Carolina – you will be arrested, charged, and prosecuted. No excuses. No second chances.”
Will anti-ICE protests continue in the US?
Anti-ICE protests are continuing in Los Angeles and other cities.
Civil and human rights attorney Robert Patillo said that the protests could be expected in “more than 30 cities, met with a familiar response: more riot gear, more barricades”.
“The protests are spreading because what’s happening in Los Angeles isn’t unique – it’s a mirror,” Patillo said.
“Communities across the country see themselves in the images coming out of LA: the same painful encounters with police, the same racial disparities, the same struggle to make ends meet in a system that feels stacked against them. These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re part of a deeper, shared experience of injustice that stretches from coast to coast.”
How the Los Angeles protests unfolded:
The protests erupted following ICE immigration raids, igniting a battle between state and federal officials.
Parts of Downtown Los Angeles were under a nighttime curfew on Tuesday after LA Mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency to “stop the vandalism” and “to stop the looting”.
The protests began on Friday after United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities conducted a series of immigration raids across the city.
This provoked an ongoing battle between state and federal authorities, with Newsom calling Trump’s order a “blatant abuse of power” and Mayor Bass describing the deployment as an “intentional effort to sow chaos”.
On the federal side, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem referred to Los Angeles as a “city of criminals” and accused local officials of inaction.
INTERACTIVE - LA protests State vs federal battle-
Friday, June 6
Morning: ICE conducted coordinated raids across LA, targeting a Home Depot, garment factories, warehouses and street vendor locations. At least 44 individuals were arrested for “immigration violations”. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said they included gang members and criminals.
The raids quickly triggered protests and demonstrations blocked entrances and exits for the Edward R Roybal Federal Building in Downtown LA, where the detainees were being processed.
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Afternoon: David Huerta, president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), one of the largest and most influential labour unions in the country, was arrested outside a garment warehouse where protesters had gathered to oppose an immigration raid. Huerta was taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Downtown LA, where protesters assembled in solidarity.
Evening: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared the area an unlawful assembly, deployed tear gas, issued tactical alerts and made several arrests.
Saturday, June 7
Morning: The next morning, reports emerged of more immigration raids, this time outside a Home Depot store in Paramount, about 26km (16 miles) southeast of downtown LA, where day labourers often gather in hopes of being hired for short-term jobs.
There, protesters clashed with security forces, who used tear gas and flashbang grenades to disperse the crowd.
Afternoon: The protests escalated as demonstrators blocked streets, threw stones and set a vehicle on fire. The LA County Sheriff declares the gathering an unlawful assembly and uses tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Evening: President Trump orders at least 2,000 National Guard troops to be deployed to Los Angeles, federalising them under Title 10 of the US Code, which allows the federal government to mobilise National Guard units without the consent of state governors.
It marked the first time since 1965 that a president had deployed National Guard troops to a state without a governor’s request.
What is the National Guard?
The National Guard is a 431,000-member reserve US military force that serves both federal and state governments. It responds to domestic emergencies like natural disasters and civil unrest and supports military operations abroad.
Key facts
• One of the oldest military institutions in the US, tracing back to 1636
• Each US state and territory has it own National Guard
• It operates under both state governors and the president, depending on the mission
• It has two branches: the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard
California National Guard members participate in crowd control during immigration raid protests in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 2025
• Most members have regular civilian jobs when they are not called upon
The national guard is the largest reserve force in the US military Number of active-duty and reserve personnel (2023 figures)
Army 449,344 176,860
National Guard 431,291
Navy 327,934 55,072
Air Force 314,648 66,216
Marines 172,577 33,036
Space Force 8,879
Sunday, June 8
Morning: About 300 National Guard troops arrive in downtown LA, Paramount, and neighbouring Compton to secure federal sites, prompting anger and fear among many residents.
On the most intense day of demonstrations so far, thousands of protesters gathered in downtown LA near the Metropolitan Detention Center, where they were met by National Guard troops deployed to support immigration officials.
Afternoon: Large crowds march from City Hall to the Federal Detention Center. The LAPD once again issues dispersal orders and begins arrests.
Protesters briefly block sections of the 101 Freeway, disrupting one of Los Angeles’ busiest highways. Some demonstrators also set fire to several self-driving cars, escalating tensions further. In response, authorities deployed tear gas, rubber bullets and flashbang grenades to disperse the crowd.
A man holds signs as Waymo autonomous vehicles burn, as protesters clash with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025.
Monday, June 9
Morning: After a relatively calm night, the fourth day begins with renewed ICE raids targeting workplaces across Southern California, including in suburban areas like Santa Ana and Paramount.
Thousands gather for a large rally at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles, organised by the SEIU. The demonstration, joined by local officials and members of Congress, calls for an end to the raids, the immediate release of the SEIU’s Huerta, and the withdrawal of National Guard troops from the city. Huerta is later released on a $50,000 bond.
(People attend a rally against the detention of SEIU California and SEIU-USWW union president David Huerta amid federal immigration sweeps, with Los Angeles City Hall in the background, in downtown Los Angeles, on June 9, 2025)
Afternoon: The state of California files a lawsuit against President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, arguing that the Title 10 deployment of National Guard troops unlawfully oversteps state sovereignty.
Donald Trump doubles the number of National Guard troops from 2,000 to 4,000, while also deploying 700 Marines in a domestic deployment not seen in decades.
Evening: Protests continue around the federal building, with a mix of peaceful rallies and sporadic clashes with police. Authorities deploy tear gas and rubber bullets, and hundreds of arrests are reported throughout the day.
Tuesday, June 10
The protests entered their fifth day, with demonstrations remaining mixed, many peaceful, while others involved vandalism, looting, rock throwing and the use of crowd-control measures.
Newsom and Bass continued to condemn the military presence as illegal and damaging, warning it tarnishes the city’s image as it prepares for major events like the 2028 Olympics and the World Cup. A Pentagon official estimated that the deployment of Marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles will cost about $134m.
Despite mounting criticism, President Donald Trump doubles down on his decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to confront protesters in Los Angeles.
Mayor Karen Bass announces a curfew for a portion of the downtown area, effective from 8pm on Tuesday until 6am on Wednesday. The curfew covers an area of approximately 20sq km (7.7sq miles).
The city of Los Angeles at a glance
The state of California has the largest Latino or Hispanic population of any US state, both in total numbers and as a share of its population, with nearly half of its residents identifying as such in the 2024 Census.
Los Angeles is the United States’s second-largest city, after New York City, with a population of some 3.8 million residents within its city limits. The city is home to more than 1.35 million migrants, which means that one in every three residents is a migrant, according to the LA city government in 2024.
What are sanctuary cities?
Los Angeles is one of many self-claimed sanctuary cities across the US, which limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, particularly US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to protect undocumented citizens from detention and deportation.
Sanctuary laws differ from place to place. Some ban asking about immigration status, while others only refuse to hold people on ICE detainers. Being in a sanctuary city or state does not mean someone is safe from deportation. ICE can still operate and arrest people in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Los Angeles race and ethnicity breakdown
California has the largest Latino or Hispanic population of any US state, both in total numbers and as a share of its population, with nearly half of residents identifying as such in the 2024 Census.
Hispanic or Latino 47.2%
White alone 37.3%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino 28.3%
Asian alone 12.0%
Black alone 8.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone 1.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 0.1%
Source: (US Census Bureau | June 10, 2025)
Nationwide protests against ICE deportations
The most recent protests in LA are part of a series of continuing demonstrations by civil society and various groups opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to the detention and deportation of community members.
According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), an organisation that tracks political violence and protests worldwide, at least 2,112 demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement have occurred since January 2025.
The grand military parade that United States President Donald Trump had been wanting for years barrelled down Washington, DC’s Constitution Avenue, with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, the spectacle played out against a counterpoint of protests around the country by those who decried the Republican leader as a “dictator” and “would-be king”.
Trump, also celebrating his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of US military might, which began early on Saturday and moved swiftly as light rain fell and clouds shrouded the Washington Monument.
The procession, with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 tanks, was one Trump tried to hold in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plan never came together until the parade was added to an event recognising the US Army’s 250th anniversary.
As armoured vehicles rolled down the street in front of the president, millions of people packed into streets, parks and plazas across the US as part of the so-called “No Kings” protests, marching through city centres and small towns, blaring anti-authoritarian chants mixed with support for protecting democracy and immigrant rights.
Authorities across the US urged calm and promised no tolerance for violence, while some governors mobilised the National Guard ahead of the demonstrations.
Police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted a week ago, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended. Officers in Portland city also fired tear gas and projectiles to disperse a crowd that protested in front of a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building well into Saturday evening.
Huge, boisterous crowds marched, danced, drummed and chanted shoulder-to-shoulder in New York City, Denver, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles, some behind “No Kings” banners. Atlanta’s 5,000-capacity event quickly reached its limit, with thousands more gathered outside barriers to hear speakers in front of the state Capitol. Officials in Seattle estimated that more than 70,000 people attended the city’s largest rally in the city centre, the Seattle Times reported.
The demonstrations came on the heels of protests over the federal ICE raids which began last week, and Trump’s order for the US National Guard and Marines to be deployed to Los Angeles, where protesters blocked a motorway and set cars on fire.
“Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don’t do kings,” the No Kings Coalition said in a statement on Saturday.
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