Organizers expect millions of Americans to join over 2,500 protests across all 50 states on October 18, 2025, opposing what they see as authoritarian actions by the Trump administration. The demonstrations, led by a coalition including Indivisible, focus on National Guard deployments to cities and intensified ICE raids. Republicans criticize the events as unpatriotic and funded by external interests.
The No Kings movement emerged in June 2025, coinciding with the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary parade, which critics linked to President Donald Trump's birthday. Organizers estimated 5 million participants in more than 2,000 events that month, protesting perceived abuses of power. Now, on October 18, the coalition of over 200 progressive groups, led by Indivisible, plans even larger turnout at 2,500 to 2,700 rallies from Maine to the Northern Marianas, Alaska to Florida, including remote spots like Kotzebue and Polebridge, Montana.
Protesters aim to reject Trump's rule as absolute, chanting 'No Kings' against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. They cite grievances including federalized National Guard troops in cities like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Memphis, Portland, and Chicago—where a judge blocked street deployments but kept units under federal command—and ICE raids targeting undocumented immigrants at sites like Home Depot lots. Participants are urged to wear yellow for solidarity. Ezra Levin, Indivisible co-executive director, warned, 'These folks are serious... They fear... the mass, peaceful, organized population pushing back.' Lisa Gilbert of Public Citizen added, 'The purpose... is to stand in solidarity, to organize, to defend our democracy... enough is enough.'
Funding ties trace to George Soros' Open Society Foundations, which granted Indivisible $7.61 million since 2017, including $3 million in 2023 for social welfare activities. The foundations stated, 'We support... peaceful democratic participation,' and oppose violence. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to attend, calling it a celebration of America's greatness.
Republicans decry the protests. House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled them a 'hate America rally' driven by 'the pro-Hamas wing and the Antifa people,' blaming Democrats for delaying shutdown talks. Sen. Ted Cruz alleged Soros funding and introduced the STOP FUNDERs Act for RICO charges against violent protest backers. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott deployed National Guard and state police to Austin for an 'Antifa-linked' event, prompting ACLU criticism of intimidation. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed concerns: 'Who cares?' Organizers emphasize nonviolence, with Indivisible advising preparation for peaceful assembly.
