‘No Kings’ roar: Millions take to streets against Trump, Iran war across US, Europe

Minnesota became a focal point, with organizers expecting mass demonstrations involving hundreds of thousands.

Thousands gathered shoulder-to-shoulder on the Minnesota Capitol lawn and nearby streets in St. Paul, some holding upside-down US flags, a historic symbol of distress.

The event’s headliner, Bruce Springsteen, performed “Streets of Minneapolis,” a song honoring Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal agents, and the Minnesotans who protested Trump’s immigration enforcement.

Before performing, Springsteen praised citizens for their resilience, saying their pushback gave hope to the nation.

Rallies spanned from major cities like New York, home to 8.5 million residents, to small towns like Driggs, Idaho.

Organizers estimated that previous “No Kings” events drew over 5 million participants in June and 7 million in October, with Saturday’s turnout projected at 9 million across 3,100 registered events in all 50 states.

In Topeka, Kansas, protesters staged humorous skits, impersonating Trump as a baby and a frog as king. Many participants, such as Wendy Wyatt, traveled long distances to attend, expressing hope despite their frustrations with the Trump administration.

White House and Republican officials criticized the rallies, calling them leftist-driven with little public support.

Protests covered a wide array of issues, including aggressive immigration enforcement, the war in Iran, and rollbacks of transgender rights.

In Washington, demonstrators marched past the Lincoln Memorial, carrying signs reading “Put down the crown, clown” and ringing bells in protest. About 40,000 people participated in San Diego.

Organizers noted that two-thirds of RSVPs came from outside major urban areas, including conservative-leaning states and competitive suburban regions.

Saturday’s Minnesota rally, designated the national flagship event, was expected to draw 100,000 participants, following a June event with 80,000 attendees.

Springsteen’s Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour, themed “No Kings,” began Tuesday in Minneapolis.

Celebrities such as Robert DeNiro, Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, and Sen. Bernie Sanders recorded messages supporting the movement, praising Minnesotans for confronting ICE enforcement. Protesters held signs on the Capitol steps declaring, “We had whistles, they had guns. The revolution starts in Minneapolis.”

International protests were held in Europe, Latin America, and Australia. In Rome, demonstrators opposed conservative Premier Giorgia Meloni’s government and US/Israeli actions in Iran.

In London, protesters called to “Stop the far right” and “Stand up to Racism.” In Paris, hundreds, mostly Americans living in France, gathered with unions and human rights groups to denounce Trump’s military actions.

Ada Shen, a Paris organizer, said, “I protest all of Trump’s illegal, immoral, reckless, and feckless, endless wars.”