'No Kings' Rallies Draw Large Nationwide Turnouts

On Oct. 18, coordinated 'No Kings' rallies staged roughly 2,500–2,600 events across the United States as a second nationwide action after June. Large, largely peaceful gatherings filled cities and towns, with more than 100,000 people reported in New York City and major turnouts in Seattle, San Diego, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco, while thousands attended local rallies in Birmingham (about 5,000), Louisville, Reno, Columbus and El Paso. Protesters—demographically mixed and often festive—criticized immigration raids and ICE actions, deployment of federal agents and National Guard troops, budget cuts and rollbacks affecting voting, health and tribal treaties. Organizers including Indivisible framed the day as a defense of democratic norms and urged sustained civic action, while political critics such as House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the events as 'hate America' rallies and supporters defended the right to protest. Overall accounts emphasized broad geographic reach, high turnout and minimal reported violence or arrests.