Millions of Americans are gearing up for the No Kings protests this Saturday. Organizers plan over 3,000 events across all 50 states and 16 countries. Groups like Indivisible and 50501, along with various labor unions and grassroots organizations, are coming together for this movement.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, predicts, “March 28 might be the biggest protest in American history.” This will be the third No Kings rally. The last one, held in October, attracted 7 million participants nationwide. The main event will take place in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, where residents are standing up against a wave of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions this winter. The rally will feature notable figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, actress Jane Fonda, and musicians Bruce Springsteen and Joan Baez.
Interestingly, two-thirds of those who RSVP’d come from areas outside major cities, including many Republican-led regions. Leah Greenberg, another co-founder of Indivisible, highlighted this at a recent press conference. Organizers are addressing a multitude of concerns, from ICE raids to threats against voting rights. Sarah Parker, the coordinator for 50501, pointed out how frustrations are boiling over due to rising gas prices and grocery costs, all against the backdrop of ongoing issues like the conflict in Iran. “People are angry,” she said.
A central theme of the No Kings protests is nonviolence. Organizers have committed to training leaders in de-escalation techniques. Participants are strictly forbidden from bringing weapons to the protests. This is crucial, especially in light of past incidents, like the violence from the first No Kings protest, where a peaceful protester died.
While former President Trump has less publicly criticized these protests lately, his administration has continued to pursue legal actions against anti-ICE demonstrators. Recently, nine individuals were convicted of “antifa” terrorism related to a protest outside a detention facility in Texas. Additionally, a troubling incident occurred in January when federal immigration agents killed two residents in Minneapolis as they documented ICE activities.
There are concerns about increased ICE presence at Saturday’s protests, which could put undocumented participants at risk. Deirdre Schifeling from the ACLU suggested that any ICE threats are mere intimidation tactics. She encouraged attendees to check the ACLU’s “know your rights” resources online.
The No Kings protests are part of a larger effort to empower communities and challenge the Trump administration. Organizers emphasize that these protests are not an end in themselves. They hope to inspire ongoing local activism.
“This third No Kings Day will happen, and Trump will still be in the White House,” Greenberg noted. “That’s why we see this as a catalyst for continued organizing everywhere.”
