The Best Signs From The ‘No Kings’ Day Protests

Source: San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers / Getty

On Oct. 18, No Kings, one of the largest days of protest against the Trump administration’s policies, unfolded on Saturday, as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in cities across the United States. The marches centered on a unifying message: that President Trump is acting more like a monarch than an elected leader, and that message was shown loud and clear through the eye-catching signs that appeared across each protest. 

More than 7 million people came out to the No Kings protest nationwide.

The coordinated demonstrations marked the second major nationwide mobilization by No Kings, a coalition of progressive groups formed to oppose Trump’s divisive laws and agendas. According to the protest organization’s website, more than 2,700 No Kings events took place in nearly every state, including New York, California, Texas, Maryland, and more. Their projected turnouts, which were more than 7 million, were reportedly 14 times larger than both of Trump’s inaugurations combined. 

While the demonstrations spanned a range of local issues, the protests shared a common theme of defending democracy and constitutional rights. Participants voiced outrage over the administration’s immigration policies and criticized Trump’s push to use federal and military intervention in Democratic-led states as a response to crime. Organizers framed these actions as an erosion of civil liberties and a dangerous consolidation of power.

In places like Washington, D.C., and New York City, thousands gathered near the U.S. Capitol and in Midtown Manhattan, filling the streets with protest signs that read, “No Kings, No Tyrants,” and “No Kings We Love Our America,” demanding justice and equality. Many protesters wore yellow, which organizers described as a symbol of unity and shared purpose. The crowd included families, activists, students, and federal employees, many of whom have been directly affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

Source: NurPhoto / Getty

Peaceful demonstrations took place nationwide as millions rallied against the Trump administration’s policies that have pushed many Americans to their breaking point. Protesters carried signs like “No Kings, Just Queens” in support of LGBTQ rights, which the president has threatened to erase, while others filled the streets calling for ICE to be defunded. One sign read, “Put ICE on Ice.” Remarkably, no arrests were reported in New York City and several other states.

Saturday’s protests were not just a response to specific policies, but to what organizers described as a broader assault on democratic norms. They argue that the president’s use of executive power and threats to override state governments represent a shift toward authoritarianism.

In case you missed it, here are some of the best signs from Saturday’s major protest nationwide.