CNN: “No Kings” protests draw crowds in cities across U.S.

A 20-foot tall balloon of President Trump in a diaper is seen among people taking part in a "No Kings" protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 14, 2025 on the day of Mr. Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C.
Photo: AFP

Demonstrators crowded into streets, parks and plazas across the U.S. on Saturday to protest President Trump, marching through downtowns and blaring anti-authoritarian chants mixed with support for protecting democracy and immigrant rights, CNN reports.

Organizers of the "No Kings" demonstrations said millions had marched in hundreds of events. Governors across the U.S. had urged calm and vowed no tolerance for violence, while some mobilized the National Guard ahead of marchers gathering. Confrontations were isolated.

But one person was transported to a Salt Lake City hospital Saturday night with life-threatening injuries after a shooting during that city's protest, officials said. Salt Lake City police said the shooting was "possibly associated with the demonstration."

Huge, boisterous crowds marched in New York, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles, some behind "no kings" banners.

Thousands of protesters across L.A. — where demonstrations have occurred in the past week over immigration raids — were largely peaceful throughout the day, but police issued a dispersal order near the city's downtown federal building after the crowd allegedly started throwing objects at officers.

A protester kicks a tear gas canister as police attempt to disperse protesters gathered to demonstrate against the Trump administration during the "No Kings" national rally in Los Angeles on June 14, 2025.
Photo: AFP

Police deployed smoke and ordered everyone to leave the area at roughly 3:55 p.m. local time. Aerial footage shows officers detaining several people, CBS Los Angeles reported.

The gatherings were timed for the same day Mr. Trump will be attending a military parade in Washington, D.C., to mark the Army's 250th anniversary, and amid heightened tensions with National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles to counter anti-ICE protests there.

Protesters gather in Manhattan to stage a "No Kings" protest against President Trump and ICE in New York City on June 14, 2025.
Photo: ANADOLU

Saturday morning, Minnesota officials canceled all of the state's "No Kings" protests after Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in politically motivated shootings targeting the Democratic lawmakers overnight. Police said they found "No Kings" fliers and a list of other potential targets in the suspect's vehicle.

In Texas, state legislators received a "credible threat" against them ahead of the planned protest at the state capitol building in Austin, the state's Department of Public Safety said. A suspect was later arrested.

In other cities around the country, protests began as scheduled.

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.

Light rain fell as marchers gathered for the flagship rally in Philadelphia. They shouted "Whose streets? Our streets!" as they marched to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where they listened to speakers on the steps made famous in the movie "Rocky."

"So what do you say, Philly?" Democratic U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland shouted to the crowd. "Are you ready to fight back? Do you want a gangster state or do you want free speech in America?"

An estimated tens of thousands joined the "No Kings" demonstrations throughout Portland, Oregon, according to Portland police, but hours later, the city's police declared a riot for several hours during a protest outside the ICE building. Portland police said in a release early Sunday that three people were arrested near the ICE facility for "criminal actions, and not constitutionally protected free speech."

The demonstrations come on the heels of protests flaring up around the country over federal immigration enforcement raids that ramped up last week, with Mr. Trump ordering National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles as some protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire.

Democratic governors called Mr. Trump's Guard deployment "an alarming abuse of power" that "shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement."

Thousands of protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump "No Kings Day" demonstration on June 14, 2025.
Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Governors and city officials vowed to protect the right to protest and to show no tolerance for violence.

"New Yorkers may have different emotions right now," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a briefing on Friday. "And they have a right to express that,  but we want to be clear you do not have a right to engage in violence and lawlessness."

Though no major demonstration was expected in Washington, D.C., where the military parade will take place on what is also Mr. Trump's 79th birthday, some protesters gathered Saturday in Lafayette Square, across from the White House.

Protesters rally at Lafayette Square during a "No Kings" protest in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025, the day of President Trump's military parade.
Photo: AFP

What is No Kings Day?

The "No Kings" theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, to support democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

Protesters have called for Mr. Trump to be "dethroned" as they compare his actions to those of a king and not a democratically elected president.

According to a statement by the organizers, the No Kings Day of Defiance is intended to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy.

The event was promoted by Walmart heiress Christy Walton, herself a billionaire, in a full-page advertisement she took out in The New York Times last Sunday. No Kings Day merchandise has cropped up for sale on Amazon, Temu and other online retailers. 

Organizers timed the protests to counter the Army's 250th anniversary celebration, which included a military parade involving hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. The parade has been estimated to cost between $25 million to $45 million, The Army expected the parade to attract as many as 200,000 people.

"The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us," the "No Kings" website says. "On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he isn't — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

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