Daijiworld Media Network – New York
New York, Oct 19: Massive crowds have taken to the streets in cities across the United States, including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles, to protest against President Donald Trump’s policies in what organisers have dubbed the “No Kings” movement.
In New York City, thousands packed Times Square and surrounding streets, holding signs reading slogans such as “Democracy not Monarchy” and “The Constitution is not optional.” Police estimated over 100,000 participants across all five boroughs, while approximately 20,000 marched along 7th Avenue in Times Square alone. Despite the large turnout, no arrests were reported.
Ahead of the demonstrations, Trump allies alleged that the protests were linked to the far-left Antifa movement, condemning the events as “the-hate America rally.” Several US states had mobilised the National Guard in anticipation, but organisers stressed that the protests were peaceful.
The rallies come amid growing criticism of Trump’s expansion of presidential powers since his return to the White House in January. The president has used executive orders to restructure parts of the federal government, deploy National Guard troops to US cities despite objections from state governors, and called for law enforcement to pursue perceived political enemies. Trump has defended his actions as necessary for rebuilding the country and dismissed accusations of authoritarianism as “hysterical.”
In a preview clip from an upcoming Fox News interview, Trump addressed the protests, saying, “A king! This is not an act… You know – they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.”
Protesters expressed their concerns about what they see as a slide toward authoritarianism. Beth Zasloff, a freelance writer and editor, told reporters, “I care a lot about New York City. It gives me hope to be out here with many, many other people. I feel outraged and distressed at a move toward fascism and an authoritarian government happening under the Trump administration.”
Throughout the demonstrations, the crowd frequently erupted into chants of “This is what democracy looks like”, accompanied by a near-constant drumbeat. Helicopters and drones monitored the area as police maintained a watchful presence.
The protests mark one of the largest nationwide expressions of public dissent since Trump’s return to power, signalling heightened tensions over the direction of American democracy.