(Typo corrected in 1st paragraph, 2nd sentence: missing payment in “No Kings” added.)
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – From New York to Texas: There have been mass protests again in the USA against President Donald Trump and his policies. Demonstrations took place across the country under the motto “No Kings”. The organizers spoke on Saturday evening (local time) of almost seven million participants in more than 2,700 cities and towns – around two million more than in June. “The president believes his power is absolute,” the website says. “But in America we don’t have kings.”
Trump: “I’m not a king”
The Republican side had said in advance that the participants would “hate America.” Trump himself told Fox News: “I am not a king.” He has repeatedly claimed that protesters are prone to violence. House Republican leader Mike Johnson said at a news conference that he expected to see “Hamas supporters,” “Antifa types” and “Marxists in full gear” at the “No Kings” protests.
Opponents accuse Trump and those around him of deliberately fueling escalation and wanting to normalize the use of the military against dissidents. Several democratically governed cities and states are taking legal action against the deployment of the National Guard in their communities.
Recently there have been repeated small protests in several cities, particularly against Trump’s migration policy. In some cases there were also clashes. According to US media, the “No Kings” protests were peaceful until the evening. There were only occasional arguments on the sidelines.
Since Trump took office in January, demonstrations against him have increased significantly. Various groups now seem to be increasingly organizing themselves among themselves: a number of initiatives are united under the umbrella of “No Kings”. At the same time, it is a challenge to bring together the multitude of different concerns.
new York
In New York City, more than 100,000 people peacefully took part in protests across the city, according to police. Participants expressed concern about the state of U.S. democracy. “We are at the tipping point towards fascism,” said a young woman named Meg. 93-year-old Stephanie explained that she had protested against the Vietnam War and had lived through many presidents, “but this one is so bad that we have to do something.” Artist Michael said the powerful in the US – white men – deliberately set people of different races, skin colors and sexualities against each other to maintain their own political power.
Colorful, inflatable costumes were striking in New York as elsewhere. “I want to disprove the narrative that we are dangerous or violent,” said Michelle, who was dressed as a rabbit. “We defend our country with joy.”
Pennsylvania
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, thousands gathered in the city center. Participants sang the song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” by Fred Rogers – known from a children’s show that was produced in Pittsburgh and shaped generations. They wanted to send a signal for community and against fear and violence – especially with regard to the rights of migrants, it was said. US flags flew above the crowd, and many of the demonstrators were dressed as “kings.” The organizers declared: “Nothing is more patriotic than peaceful dissent.”
The focus in Pittsburgh was on two issues: an initiative to tighten gun laws that failed in September and a local election at the beginning of November. “Protests alone are not enough – action must now follow: you have to vote,” said one participant. While the city itself is considered a Democratic stronghold, many surrounding districts are firmly in Republican hands.
Washington and Maryland
In the US capital Washington, where thousands took to the streets, many federal employees are currently on forced leave due to the partial government shutdown or have already been laid off as part of cuts. CNN quoted a protester as saying that he had been working in public service for 20 years – and that the Trump administration was about to destroy it.
Numerous demonstrators also gathered in the wealthy surrounding areas of the capital. In Bethesda, Maryland, they stood along Connecticut Avenue with signs, pennants and posters. A woman in a rooster costume held a sign that read “We don’t need royal decrees” – probably as a reference to the numerous orders with which Trump wants to enforce his policies.
Massachusetts
In Boston, Massachusetts, numerous people gathered in the centrally located Boston Common Park. Posters read: “No to autocracy, yes to democracy” or “Hands off our neighbors.” From a stage someone shouted, “Defend yourself – No Kings,” to which the crowd chanted back, “No Kings.”
California
At a street intersection in the small Californian town of Truckee, the protest of several thousand people was colorful, peaceful – and accompanied by loud honking. Protester Glenna said of Trump that she was tired of being insulted: “He dehumanizes and labels us as un-American,” she added. “We have to protect migrants.” Without them, nothing would function in a tourist area like Lake Tahoe, a few kilometers south.
South Carolina and Oregon
CNN reported an incident in the state of South Carolina in which a woman drove past a protest with a gun drawn and was arrested. In Portland, Oregon, the “No Kings” demonstration was peaceful, according to local station KATU. However, there were clashes between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators during nightly protests at an ICE immigration facility. Accordingly, federal officials used tear gas; there were some arrests. There had been similar scenes there in the days before.
Florida and Texas
In Sarasota, Florida, Jackie was one of numerous demonstrators. The 33-year-old took part with her two small children and described the atmosphere on the phone as “very positive”. She wants to teach her daughter and son that protests are “a normal part of American life.” Among other things, she said she was committed to protecting public health – she works in this area and is concerned that compulsory vaccinations in schools are being abolished in her state.
According to local media, hundreds of people also gathered in El Paso, Texas. A sign about Trump read: “The poor old, crazy king doesn’t understand: democracy, the rule of law and separation of powers.”/gei/DP/zb