Nationwide “No Kings” Protests

Millions of Americans took to the streets in over 2,000 cities to protest former President Trump’s leadership style, coinciding with the U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade and his 79th birthday.
The demonstrations were organized under the “50501” movement (standing for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement”), denouncing authoritarianism, personality cults, and the militarization of politics.
Major rallies occurred in cities like Philadelphia (with 80,000+ people), New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, and even smaller towns like Becker, Minnesota.

In New York City, thousands marched down Fifth Avenue in the rain with anti-authoritarian signs, artistic displays, and chants for democracy and immigrant rights.
Seattle saw around 70,000 people, while Los Angeles had 25,000+ marchers clashing with police and the National Guard, with tear gas and rubber bullets deployed.
Protesters chanted: “The flag is ours – not a crown.”

A shooting occurred during a march in Salt Lake City, Utah, leaving one person critically injured. The
In California and Virginia, vehicle-related incidents in protest zones led to further investigations by local authorities.

50501 organizers declared: “We don’t want a king. We want a republic.”
Data analyst G. Elliott Morris estimated that 4 to 6 million people participated nationwide—possibly the largest protest movement of the Trump era.
Media outlets like AP, NPR, and Politico reported that the protests conveyed a strong message: defending democracy, rejecting presidential overreach, and standing up for migrant and civil rights.

In contrast, Washington D.C. hosted a massive military parade with over 6,000 troops, 128 tanks, and artillery fanfare—yet only about 250,000 attendees showed up, far below expectations.
This stark juxtaposition revealed America’s growing internal division: one side celebrating military tradition, the other pushing back against authoritarianism.