Aerial footage shows thousands attending No Kings protests across the US

On October 18, 2025, millions of Americans participated in ‘No Kings’ protests across the country, voicing opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies in a massive display of civic engagement that remained largely peaceful despite heightened political tensions. The protests spanned all 50 states, with organizers reporting nearly 7 million attendees, making it the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history. Cities like New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Austin saw thousands fill streets, with aerial footage capturing the scale of the crowds. Participants carried signs with messages such as ‘Democracy not Monarchy’ and ‘The Constitution is not optional,’ emphasizing their commitment to democratic values. In New York City, over 100,000 people gathered across the five boroughs, with no arrests reported by the NYPD. Times Square was packed with protesters chanting ‘This is what democracy looks like,’ while helicopters flew overhead. Similarly, in Washington D.C., the atmosphere was festive yet concerned, with people dressed in costumes and holding rallies near the White House. Organizers, including groups like Indivisible, stated that the protests were a peaceful response to what they see as Trump’s authoritarian actions, such as expanding presidential power through executive orders and deploying National Guard troops without state consent. They highlighted that the events aimed to protect First Amendment rights and reject monarchy-like governance. Protesters expressed diverse motivations, from immigration fears to healthcare concerns. For instance, in Chicago, attendees worried about ICE raids affecting their communities, while in Austin, women’s rights and LGBTQ issues were prominent. Many participants, like a 66-year-old from New York, shared personal stories of fearing for democracy under the current administration. Political responses were mixed; Republican leaders like Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated the National Guard, citing potential unrest, but no major violence occurred. The Trump administration mocked Democrats on social media, while protesters countered accusations of being unpatriotic by affirming their love for America and its ideals. International solidarity rallies took place in European cities like London and Berlin, where supporters gathered outside U.S. embassies. In Toronto, demonstrators held signs reading ‘Hands off Canada,’ reflecting global concerns about U.S. policies. The protests underscore deep divisions in American society, with polls showing low approval ratings for Trump. Moving forward, the challenge for opposition groups is to harness this energy into effective political action, as many attendees also critiqued Democratic leadership for lacking cohesion.