Massive protests against President Donald Trump’s second-term policies are set for Saturday, with organizers expecting millions to rally nationwide under the “No Kings” banner. This grassroots movement, now in its third major outing since January 2025, channels opposition to what critics call authoritarian tactics and erratic governance.
The spark? Trump’s recent military push alongside Israel in Iran, layered atop grievances like executive overreach, Justice Department targeting of rivals, fossil fuel priorities amid climate woes, and crackdowns on diversity initiatives.
Past events drew crowds: June’s protest on Trump’s 79th birthday pulled several million, coinciding with his Washington military parade. October’s rallied an estimated seven million, per organizers. Saturday aims bigger, amid Trump’s 40% approval rating and looming November midterms that could flip Congress to Democrats.
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“Since our last march, we’ve sunk deeper into war,” said Naveed Shah of Common Defense, a “No Kings” partner. “At home, militarized forces kill citizens, tear families apart, and target immigrants—all for one man’s power grab.”
3,000+ rallies, Springsteen headlines in Minnesota
Over 3,000 events span cities, suburbs, rural spots, and even Alaska’s Kotzebue above the Arctic Circle. Minnesota spotlights return after January clashes over Trump’s immigration raids. Bruce Springsteen performs his new track “Streets of Minneapolis” in St. Paul—penned for victims Renee Good and Alex Pretti, killed by federal agents during frigid protests.
“No Kings” decries “masked secret police,” war costs, speech curbs, and economic squeezes. Organizers note two-thirds of Saturday’s crowd hails from non-urban areas, signaling broader reach.
“America’s at a tipping point,” said Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers president. “Fear and unaffordability rule—time to build lives, not stoke division.”
(AFP)
