Protests Against Trump’s Authoritarianism: 7 Million March Across the U.S.

President Trump is increasingly acting like the kings and monarchs of old, according to accusations that have sparked widespread protests across the United States. At least 7 million people participated in protests nationwide, claiming that Trump is destroying American democracy.

Peggy Cole, a retired government employee, traveled to Washington, D.C., to celebrate her 70th birthday. A resident of Flint, Michigan, Cole drove nearly 10 hours to join the “No Kings” protest against Trump’s growing authoritarian behavior. Cole said it was essential for her to participate in the large-scale protest, calling the moment a “terrifying time” for Americans and a crisis for democracy.

“I feel that (Trump) is slowly breaking down our government, our democracy,” Cole said. “If we sit back and do nothing, it will slowly fall apart piece by piece.”

On Saturday, over 2,700 “No Kings” protests took place across the United States, with organizers voicing their opposition to President Trump’s “elected authoritarian” agenda. In June, during the first protests, nearly 5 million people had taken to the streets across the country. This time, the number of rallies increased, with over 100 more taking place.

According to CNN, about 7 million people participated in Saturday’s marches, with more than 100,000 people attending the rally in New York City alone, as reported by event organizers. In addition to the large rallies in major cities, smaller groups of “No Kings” protesters could also be seen in small towns, busy streets, and parks.

The peaceful protests were organized in response to recent events, including large-scale immigration raids, protests against federal immigration enforcement, and the deployment of federal troops in Democratic-led cities.

The atmosphere grew tense when some individuals began causing trouble with the protesters later in the day. In South Carolina, a woman was arrested for allegedly showing a firearm while driving. In Georgia, a man was caught on video snatching a protester's flag and pushing another protester to the ground.

While the Trump administration and some Republican officials have characterized the protests as the work of “violent far-leftists,” the organizers of the "No Kings" protests, Indivisible Project, have committed to “non-violent action” and trained thousands of people in de-escalation techniques to reduce security concerns and tensions. This training has become especially important due to the increasing political violence across the country.

Some protesters wore yellow clothing, which organizers said was a reference to unity and other non-violent resistance movements. The Indivisible Project’s website states, “Yellow reminds us that millions have come together with the belief that America is for its people.”

Other protesters wore costumes, such as balloon-made chickens, frogs, and dinosaurs, emphasizing the peaceful nature of the protests. A protester in Los Angeles remarked, “When you see something like a block party, people in Halloween costumes dancing, it’s really hard to call this a battlefield.”

Protesters shouted slogans through megaphones, such as “This is what democracy looks like,” “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here,” and displayed placards opposing authoritarianism and billionaires while holding American flags.