No Kings, No Surrender
The Power of Our Protests and the Path Forward
On Saturday, June 14, millions of Americans took to the streets in over 2,000 cities and towns across the nation, from bustling urban centers to quiet rural communities, to declare with one voice: No Kings in America. The “No Kings” protests, organized by a coalition of over 150 progressive organizations, including ours, marked the largest single-day mobilization against the Trump administration since his second term began.
With an estimated 4 to 6 million people participating, these peaceful demonstrations dwarfed Trump’s ego-driven military parade in Washington, D.C., and sent an unmistakable message: the American people will not bow to authoritarianism.
This was a historic moment. It was a powerful reminder that when we unite, our collective strength can shake the foundations of autocracy. But the fight is far from over. Today, we celebrate our success, reflect on what made “No Kings” a triumph, and chart the path forward to sustain this momentum in the relentless struggle against Trump’s agenda.
The Triumph of No Kings Day
The “No Kings” protests were a resounding success for several reasons:
Unprecedented Scale and Reach: From New York’s 50,000-strong march to the 300-person rally in a small Texas town, the protests spanned all 50 states, including deep-red counties and purple battlegrounds. This wasn’t just a “blue-city” phenomenon. Opposition to Trump is growing even in his strongholds. Shoutout to Boise, Idaho for their incredible showing on Saturday!
Unity in Diversity: The coalition behind “No Kings” brought together groups like Indivisible, the ACLU, Public Citizen, and the Service Employees International Union, alongside climate activists, immigrant rights defenders, and local organizers. Protesters waved American flags, carried signs like “No Kings, but yaaas queen!” and chanted for democracy, showing that our movement is as vibrant as it is inclusive.
Peaceful Defiance: Despite Trump’s threats of “heavy force” and the deployment of National Guard troops in cities like Los Angeles, the protests remained overwhelmingly peaceful. This discipline underscored our commitment to nonviolent resistance, even in the face of provocation.
A Blow to Trump’s Image: While Trump’s $25–45 million military parade (staged on his 79th birthday) was meant to project strength, it flopped spectacularly. Sparse crowds and lackluster optics paled in comparison to the energy of our protests, exposing the fragility of his authoritarian posturing.
Grassroots Power: Over 100 protests were planned by volunteers in just the past week, sparked by outrage over Trump’s crackdown on California protesters opposing immigration detention. This rapid mobilization shows that everyday Americans are ready to act when called upon.
The “No Kings” protests weren’t just a reaction to Trump’s military parade or his immigration raids—they were a proactive stand for democracy, civil rights, and a future free from authoritarian rule. As Ezra Levin of Indivisible put it:
“This is the largest single-day, peaceful protest in recent American history, made up of millions of normal, everyday Americans.”
Why This Matters
The success of “No Kings” comes at a critical juncture. Trump’s second term has unleashed a barrage of assaults on our democracy: mass deportations, attacks on free speech, cuts to federal agencies, and a billionaire-first agenda that prioritizes cronies like Elon Musk over working families. His administration’s crackdown on dissent, seen in the arrests of elected officials like Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and the indictment of Congresswoman McIver, aims to intimidate us into silence.
But “No Kings” proved that fear won’t stop us. It showed that our movement is bigger, broader, and more resilient than ever. Compared to the 5,000 protests during Trump’s first term in 2017, we’ve already seen over 15,000 since his second inauguration in January 2025. This outpaces even the historic Women’s March, signaling a new era of resistance.
Keeping the Momentum Alive
The energy of “No Kings” must not fade. To sustain this movement and continue the fight against Trump, we propose five key strategies:
Build Local Networks: The protests connected millions of activists. Now, we must strengthen these bonds by joining or forming local chapters, hosting and participating in regular organizing meetings, and plugging new activists into existing networks. Share your protest experience on social media to inspire others to join.
Sustain Mass Action: Mass peaceful protests are our superpower. Plan for upcoming days of action and continue showing up at town halls to pressure elected officials. As history shows, from the 2017 Affordable Care Act fight to the 2020 Democratic trifecta, consistent action builds power.
Amplify Our Message: Use platforms like the How We Fight Back Substack to share stories of resistance, analysis, and calls to action. Subscribe, contribute guest essays, or start your own newsletter to keep the conversation alive. Let’s drown out Trump’s propaganda with our truth.
Economic Resistance: Boycott corporations and law firms that cave to Trump’s threats, and reward those that stand firm. As consumers and investors, we can hit his allies where it hurts: their bottom line.
Protect and Support Each Other: In the face of Trump’s authoritarian tactics, we must safeguard our communities. Offer legal support for protesters, advocate for immigrant neighbors, and stand in solidarity with targeted groups. As Lisa Gilbert of Public Citizen said, “We’re watching them crack down on free speech, detaining people for political positions, and that’s just not what America is about.”
A Call to Action
The “No Kings” protests were a victory, but they’re only the beginning. Trump’s agenda thrives on division and despair, but we’ve shown that unity and hope are stronger. Every sign waved, every chant shouted, every step marched was a declaration that this is our country — not Trump’s, not Musk’s, but the people’s.
Here’s how you can act today:
Join Us: Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming actions.
Organize Locally: Host a post-protest meetup. You can also join the 50501 movement and/or join a local Indivisible chapter.
Amplify: Share this post and your “No Kings” story on social media with #NoKingsInAmerica.
Write a letter to the editor of your local paper: Use our tool kit for guidance. If your letter isn't published, post it on social media and share with your personal network.
As Senator Cory Booker reminded us after his 25-hour Senate speech, “Don’t let this be another day in America.” Let’s make every day a stand for democracy. Together, we’ll keep the heat on Trump, build a movement that can’t be ignored, and reclaim our future.
No kings. No surrender. Only us, the people. Thank you for being part of this historic moment.
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