On Saturday, thousands of protesters gathered across the United States for the No Kings protests, a planned demonstration aimed at opposing former President Donald Trump’s perceived autocratic tendencies and anti-democratic actions during his presidency. The second wave of protests created an astronomical push, channeling the momentum from the first round of protests in June. Crowds filled US cities and small communities, demonstrating the depth of their anger at our toxic political culture.
The No Kings protests grew in response to a series of provocative moves made by Trump’s administration. Activists decried the cause célèbre criminal prosecution of political rivals. From their perspective, these moves are part of a nationwide plan to intimidate protesters and discourage dissent. Participants voiced concerns regarding nationwide immigration raids that have disrupted countless lives, as well as the deployment of federal troops in American cities—a move that critics argue undermines local governance and civil liberties.
Scores of protesters marched through the streets of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington D.C. With their signs held high, they chanted loudly to tell the world that democracy is in danger. For lots of the demonstrators, there was no mistaking the urgency of their message. They argued that granting unbridled power would only continue to undermine the country’s democratic principles.
The massive turnout for these protests goes to show that there is a rising tide of discontent among American citizens about where this country is headed. Almost all attendees left with a sense of solidarity, accomplished knowing that they weren’t alone in their concern about the administration’s actions. They called upon people of faith to join together in action to oppose what they see as a dangerous movement toward authoritarianism.