Some 7,000,000 people took part in over 2,700 “No Kings” rallies Saturday. Millions and millions more were there in spirit and participating remotely by watching coverage on television or online.

It was the largest single day of protest in American history.

Together, the American people showed that resistance to the Trump regime’s authoritarianism is coming from every corner of this great country.

We demonstrated our commitment to nonviolence, our patriotism, our anger at the needless harm Trump is inflicting on the nation, our rejection of his dictatorial ambitions, and — not least — our sense of humor.

Each of us spoke to a lot of media outlets about the “No Kings” rallies. Here are a few examples:

Robert on PBS.

Lisa on NPR.

Lisa on Fox News.

Robert on CNN.

Lisa in USA Today.

Robert on Fox News.

In these conversations, we made three essential points:

FIRST

Americans are outraged about Trump’s authoritarianism and what it is doing to our country.

They are furious about ICE kidnappings on our streets, the illegal deployment of National Guard troops, illegal firings of federal workers who protect our health, the illegal shutdown of agencies like the consumer bureau that protects us from financial fraud, the weaponization of the Justice Department, attacks on free speech, the effort to whitewash American history, and more.

SECOND

It was shameful and ridiculous for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and other Republican figures to say these were “Hate America” rallies, to disparage participants, and to denigrate protest itself.

As was evidenced by anyone who attended or watched any footage from the rallies, these were patriotic rallies that sought to defend our democracy and the best of our values. Given the out-of-control rhetoric from the Trump regime, Johnson used coded language that suggested the rallies verged on domestic terrorism. That was a disgraceful attack on First Amendment expression.

As we said over and over, “No Kings” takes its place in the long and honorable tradition of American protest. Every single major social advance in American history has come as the result of protest. Our nation’s very independence originated in protest.

THIRD

This was protest with purpose. Donald Trump and his cronies have spread the lie that they have overwhelming support and their policies are inevitable. “No Kings” proved those claims untrue. The Trump regime wants to intimidate opponents and chill dissent. They want people to be scared and isolated. With “No Kings,” we joined together to feel, and feed, our power — in overwhelming numbers.

Politicians were watching. Just as the prior large nationwide demonstrations this year — “Hands Off!” and the first “No Kings” — stiffened their spines just a bit, what they witnessed this weekend will make them stronger in the very difficult fights ahead.

NEXT

“No Kings” is also a launching pad for more actions to follow, including:
Ultimately, mass mobilizations remind us of the power of solidarity and love. We have great challenges ahead to defeat Trump’s authoritarianism. But — animated by the spirit and energy of “No Kings” — we will prevail.

For democracy,

- Robert Weissman & Lisa Gilbert, Co-Presidents of Public Citizen
 
 
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