WASHINGTON — Nationwide protests organized under the banner “No Kings” took place on March 28, drawing large crowds across the United States. Demonstrations were held in more than 3,000 locations, with participants expressing opposition to President Donald Trump and a range of administration policies.
Organizers said more than 8 million people participated in over 3,300 “No Kings” protests across all 50 states on Saturday, describing the mobilization as the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history, though independent verification of those figures was not immediately available. Earlier rounds of protests in June and October 2025 were estimated to have drawn approximately 5 million and 7 million participants, respectively.
At the flagship rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bruce Springsteen performed “Streets of Minneapolis” before a crowd estimated at more than 100,000. Addressing attendees, he criticized the federal response to unrest in the city. The event also featured appearances by Tim Walz, Bernie Sanders, Jane Fonda, and Joan Baez.
Large demonstrations were reported nationwide, with tens of thousands marching through Times Square in New York and across Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C., alongside rallies from Palm Beach, Florida, to London. Throughout the day, crowds gathered to march, sing, dance, and wave signs in major cities, suburbs, and small towns across both red and blue states, often accompanied by speeches, performances, and symbolic displays.
No Kings Announcement
While most events were described as peaceful, some locations saw tensions escalate. In Dallas, clashes were reported between demonstrators and counterprotesters, including individuals associated with the January 6, 2021, events. In Los Angeles, nine people were arrested after objects were thrown at federal officers outside a detention facility, according to local reporting.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, described the rallies in an interview with Omar Jimenez on CNN as “a place for everybody to come and exercise their rights as Americans in a patriotic and safe way.”
Leaders of the movement framed the protests as part of a broader coalition effort. Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of the Indivisible Project, said the demonstrations were intended to unite “a cross-movement push against authoritarianism,” adding, “There is not one way to fight it. We see No Kings as part of a tapestry of defiance that is going on.”
While the ongoing conflict involving Iran served as a motivating factor for some participants, the protests reflected a broad spectrum of concerns. Demonstrators highlighted issues including immigration enforcement policies, calls for government accountability, and dissatisfaction with the current political climate. The actions unfolded as the midterm election cycle began to take shape, with some political candidates appearing at or participating in events.
The White House dismissed the demonstrations, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson characterizing them as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions.” As of Sunday morning, President Donald Trump had not publicly commented.
Alongside broader participation, Pagans across the country reported their involvement in the No Kings protests, both in person and through online networks.
Those with physical and other challenges shared their voices online, while others took to nearby sidewalks.
One of the “No Kings” protests took place outside an assisted living home on Main Street in Laurel. On my way to a workshop, I passed a line of elderly residents gathered along the sidewalk—some in wheelchairs, others leaning on walkers—each holding handmade signs.
As cars drove by, they gestured for drivers to honk in solidarity. Each response was met with cheers, a wave of shared energy that rippled down the line.
Sometimes the purpose of a protest is not only to resist, but to remind us what joy can look like in the face of fear.
Eldritch 3° Priestx of Stone Circle Wicca echoed the sentiment, “The pressures are higher, the tensions are higher, the stakes are higher.” He monitored developments, keeping others informed as events unfolded while sharing messages of support and encouragement. “Every action counts. Whether reaching two or twelve, twelve hundred or twelve thousand, every action counts.”
Philadelphia was one of the largest of the No Kings demonstrations, where participants took to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Robert L. Schreiwer, founder of the Heathen tradition of Urglaawe, participated in the demonstrations alongside members of Heathens Against Hate (Heide Geeich Hass).
Schreiwer said the protests fostered a strong sense of solidarity across diverse communities, while also creating space for outreach and engagement. He noted that events like these allow Heathens Against Hate to connect with fellow demonstrators and introduce Heathenry to the broader public. “We had an opportunity to introduce Heathenry to the public in the context of shared values,” he said.
Reflecting on past participation, he pointed to the group’s involvement in the Cradle of Liberty protest at Independence Hall, held alongside larger demonstrations in Philadelphia, as an example of this engagement. At that event, members were able to both share their tradition and learn from other groups present.
Schreiwer added that such gatherings leave participants feeling “less alone and more empowered,” underscoring the role of collective action in building community and mutual support.
In Youngstown, Ohio, a “No Kings” protest drew an estimated 1,800 participants, according to local attendee Morrigan M., who described the turnout as “nicely solid” for a county that supported Donald Trump in 2020.
The rally, hosted by the Mahoning Valley Freedom Fighters, was characterized by a diverse crowd in terms of age, race, and gender, though Morrigan M. noted that participants in their 30s to 50s appeared less represented. She emphasized the significance of the gathering as a moment of shared concern, saying it was “consolation to be surrounded by so many folk who are equally appalled by the actions of the current administration.”
Morrigan M. added that she carried a sign reading “No Due Process = Fascism,” while acknowledging that no single message could fully capture the breadth of issues motivating demonstrators.
Images of Youngstown, Ohio No Kings Courtesy: R. Images of Philadeplhia No Kings Courtesy: M. Morrigan
Images of Youngstown, Ohio No Kings Courtesy: R. Images of Philadeplhia No Kings Courtesy: M. Morrigan
Images of Youngstown, Ohio No Kings Courtesy: R. Images of Philadeplhia No Kings Courtesy: M. Morrigan
At a “No Kings” protest in Torrance, California, Rev. Dee described a light-hearted and supportive atmosphere, with participants embracing both creativity and community. Attendees included individuals in inflatable unicorn, frog, and dinosaur costumes, alongside others contributing to the festive tone with music and bubble machines.
Rev. Dee highlighted the strong sense of connection among participants, noting that strangers readily engaged with one another in ways that felt uncommon in everyday settings. The crowd spanned a wide range of ages, from young children to older adults.
Attendance was estimated at approximately 7,000 people, according to local media reports, a notable turnout given that simultaneous demonstrations were taking place in nearby cities. Rev. Dee said the experience left them with a deeper sense of connection to their local community and neighbors.
In Lakeland, Florida, Iya Osun Belen, who described herself as a non-Christian nationalist Republican, drew a distinction between her political affiliation and her concerns about the current administration. “What we are seeing in Trump is not Republican,” she said. “It is imperialism and oppression.”
Her comments came as crowds gathered even in deep-red Polk County, where Donald Trump won by more than 20 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. An estimated 2,000 people attended the demonstration at Freedom Park in downtown Lakeland, reflecting a notable level of engagement in the region.
In Miami, demonstrations connected to the “No Kings” protests unfolded across multiple locations, reflecting both the energy and tensions often associated with political action in the city. Participants at a gathering in Tropical Park, estimated at roughly 500 people, described a lively and creative atmosphere. Protesters carried signs, engaged in chants, and maintained a celebratory tone throughout much of the event.
At the same time, demonstrators encountered vocal opposition from passing motorists, with some shouting criticisms as they drove by. Organizers and participants largely avoided engaging, emphasizing a focus on maintaining a peaceful and positive presence.
The turnout in Miami was spread across at least four separate events, resulting in smaller crowd sizes at each location. Still, attendees highlighted the strong sense of community, including the participation of older residents and families, as a defining feature of the day.
Priestess Rayna Templebee, a member of the Covenant of the Goddess, attended the Tropical Park protest, saying, “It is heartening to see so many Pagans involved in No Kings protests—in this broad and diverse movement, we seem to have found a community that is sympathetic to our values of religious diversity, civil rights, and freedom of expression.
Templebee reminded everyone that “Pagans must remain active in these non-denominational spaces of resistance if we want to ensure non-Pagans will come to our aid if (or when) our religious rights are attacked by the state.”
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