For many disenfranchised voters, “No Kings” has become a staple event in their dissent towards President Donald Trump’s administration. Saturday’s “No Kings” — the third of its kind — drew around 180,000 people who joined to stand against various aspects of the federal administration ranging from immigration to voting policies.

The event, which originated as a distraction from Trump’s birthday and the military parade he held in his honor on June 14, 2025, has since evolved to become a force of its own — not only as a protest, but a social movement. 

Organizers estimate that eight million people attended 3,300 rallies across the country, with the flagship location being in Minneapolis. Dozens of solidarity protests took place internationally.

Protesters held signs saying “‘No Kings’ in Boston since 1776,” “joyful dissent is patriotic,” and “Republicans do your job, you work for us.” Various jazz bands played protest songs and people attended dressed as George Washington, Lady Liberty, and Yoda. People danced, handed out colorful “Resist” pins, and wrote messages like “Fuck ICE,” and “Raise your voice” on  large plywood signs.  

Attendees in Boston noted an increase in the presence of progressive organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America. Also spotted was a massive ice sculpture of the words “end ice.”  

Sarah Fahey, from Brookline, has attended the other “No Kings” protests. She said that the protests continue to be an “important” way for people to combat a “pretty isolated culture” by coming together every few months for these events.  

Fahey drew smiles from attendees on account of her and her friend blaring music and dancing in neon pink and purple clothing. The pair love dancing in their free time, and said they strive to bring joy to protests. 

“We can dance and have fun, but also be showing up with our signs and making statements,” Fahey said. “It feels super powerful for us, and people seem to really get a positive response.”

Fahey reflected on the last “No Kings” she attended, remarking that this one was more organized. Several screens were assembled throughout the Common to allow the large crowds standing farther from the stage to hear the speakers’ remarks.  

Some critics of “No Kings” have labeled the movement as “not enough,” and lacking the ambition or focused direction needed to spur political change. Others have remarked that, as the protest continues, it has started to become more like a “glorified parade.”

The previous “No Kings” protest on Oct. 18 focused on ICE and Trump’s education reforms, Saturday’s protest added Trump’s Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act and the Iran war as key issues for attendees. 

If passed, the SAVE Act will require photo ID when citizens cast their vote and for registration to vote. The bill is currently stalled on the Senate floor for discussion.

Protesters gathered around the main stage near Beacon Hill, sporting signs and waving upside down American flags as they listened to speakers that included Gov. Maura Healey and Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren. 

Markey slammed the SAVE Act when speaking at the protest, calling it “a bill to block millions of eligible Americans from exercising their right to vote.”

“This is not about election integrity,” he said. “It is about voter suppression … because they are afraid.”

Colorful backpacks and kids’ sneakers were placed in front of the Civil War monument to commemorate the lives lost in the war in Iran, drawing back to last month when the U.S. bombed an Iranian primary school for girls, resulting in about 150 dead and nearly 100 injured. The United Nations denoted the school strikes as a “grave violation of humanitarian law.”

Bahar Sharafi, an Iranian American peace activist for the National Iranian American Council and speaker at the protest, strongly opposed the war. She said she waits for her family in Iran to call her every day to let her know they are still alive. 

“More than 2,000 Iranians have been killed, 600 schools, 282 hospitals,” she said to the crowd. “Historical and cultural heritage sites have been destroyed or damaged.” 

She asked attendees to resist the war by calling their representatives and organizing in the streets.

Although the “No Kings” protests have expanded to addressing foreign affairs, Trump’s immigration crackdown remains a major topic for the movement. 

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who spoke at the rally, announced the launch of an ICE misconduct portal in collaboration with Healey. She implored protesters to upload evidence of ICE agents not following the law to bring them to justice. 

“We are filing lawsuits to hold ICE accountable,” she said. “Not just here, but also in Minnesota and other states.” 

Kaylee Canniff, a protester from Whitman, Mass., said she was happy to see the wide-ranging news coverage at the protest. 

“There’s four helicopters going around right now, and that’s exactly what I wanted to see,” she said. “News coverage of everybody’s outrage.” 

The Oct. 18 “No Kings” protest also had significant news reporting and helicopters covering the scene. Organizers have promoted the events nationally on social media in hopes of attracting large crowds and media coverage. 

Brian G., a protester from the South End of Boston, who declined to provide his full name for safety and privacy reasons, also expressed his satisfaction with this recurrence of the movement, noting the larger size. A Minnesota native, he held a 25-foot-long flag pole with a pride flag and a “Fuck Trump” banner for the entirety of the protest, calling it his “subtle, not so subtle statement.”

“I think we have the makings of a movement,” he said. “I want to be a part of that. It’s important to be here and to be counted … This is my being vocal without saying a word.”

Debra Tsampas, a Maine resident, attended the protest dressed as Lady Liberty, complete with green makeup and a sparkling green dress. She spent four days on her costume, and views the movement as a “disclosure” to the government on how protesters feel. 

“I think it’s very impactful. Congress has to look at it and say, ‘Our people are not happy,’ and maybe they’ll grow a spine. I’m not really sure, but they’re very jellyfishy, no brain, no spine, and no heart,” she said.

In response to Saturday’s large crowds, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called the protests “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions” funded by the left, in a statement to CBS. 

Maureen O’Toole, the National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson, echoed the sentiment in a statement, saying, “These Hate America Rallies are where the far-left’s most violent, deranged fantasies get a microphone,” according to the Washington Post.

Joe L., from Chelsea, who declined to provide his full name for safety and privacy reasons, said he expected remarks dismissing the validity of “No Kings” in the days following the protest, stating that Trump’s frequent accusations that his dissenters are “radical,” are unfounded. 

“You know, the fascist regime wants us to think that we’re all crazy, and they want to tell their base that we’re all crazy and that we’re all radical,” he said. “There’s nothing radical about wanting people to be treated with respect.”

He added that he thinks protests like this have “a lot of value” in being around people who share similar viewpoints. 

“It’s good to know that there are other people that feel the same way you do when you’re surrounded by all these people,” Joe L. said