Demonstrators across the nation are set to gather this weekend for a second round of “No Kings” protests, with its left-wing organizers expecting a large turnout in opposition to President Donald Trump and his policies.
This comes at a time of heightened political tensions in the country, including over the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Trump’s use of the National Guard in some Democratic-led cities.
Here’s what to know about the upcoming nationwide demonstrations:
When and Where
The “No Kings Day” is scheduled for Oct. 18 with more than 2,500 registered demonstrations set to take place in big cities across the country, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. The specific times of each protest vary.
The title “No Kings” refers to Trump and what organizers describe as his authoritarian agenda.
Around 5 million people attended the first “No Kings Day” protests, according to organizers, who expect the second demonstrations to surpass that number.
Opposition to Trump’s Policies
Protestors say they are taking to the streets in opposition to Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration via Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the use of the National Guard in a number of Democratic-led cities, which the president has said were ordered to deal with public safety and federal protection needs.
As for No Kings, it claims that the Trump administration is sending masked agents to terrorize communities and targeting immigrant families, among a raft of issues that include: “Threatening to overtake elections. Gutting healthcare, environmental protections, and education when families need them most.”
Demonstrators are also expected to voice opposition to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1. Thousands of federal workers have been affected by the shutdown.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has dubbed the “No Kings” protests a “Hate America Rally.”
“I encourage you to watch—we call it the ‘Hate America Rally’—that’ll happen Saturday,” Johnson told reporters in Washington on Oct. 15. “Let’s see who shows up for that. I bet ya see pro-Hamas supporters, I bet you see Antifa-types, I bet ya see the Marxists in full display. The people who don’t want to stand and defend the foundational truths of this republic.”
Political Climate
The demonstrations are meant to be peaceful, with Indivisible saying in a statement that it’s been committed to non-violence since it first launched in 2016 and rejects all forms of political violence and intimidation.
Since then, political tensions have escalated nationwide, with ICE personnel facing a 1,000 percent rise in assaults, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In September, Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated during a speaking event at a university in Utah. The FBI has called his killing an act of targeted political violence.
