“No King”: The slogan of the American uprising against Trump.
The nationwide “No Kings” protests are set to take place across the United States on Saturday, October 18. Organizers of the social movement have predicted that millions of people will join the demonstrations at more than 2,500 events in all 50 states.
According to Axios, the main purpose of the protests is to express opposition to the prolonged federal government shutdown and President Donald Trump’s repressive and military actions against Democratic-led cities. They say the American people no longer want to be governed by “fear and force,” but rather want a society that is equal and free.
The organizers’ official statement says that the movement is a collective effort to send a clear message to the government that “America belongs to the people, not to kings” (or those in power).
Among the participating groups are the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the American Federation of Teachers, the Human Rights Campaign, the Indivisible Group, and MoveOn. These groups have previously been active in similar protests against the Trump administration.
However, Republicans and the Trump administration have strongly opposed the decision. Republican leaders, including Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise, and Tom Amer, have called the “No King” demonstrations a “hate rally against America.” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson also claimed that the Trump administration intends to stop the “scourge of leftist violence” in American communities. She warned that any illegal or violent behavior during the protests will not be tolerated.
Although the White House has not yet responded to the possibility of deploying troops, some Republican lawmakers, such as Senator Roger Marshall, have even said that the National Guard may be deployed to control the protests.
In contrast, protest organizers say that Republican leaders, especially House Speaker Mike Johnson, are trying to justify the government shutdown by creating fear and projection. They emphasize that instead of addressing fundamental issues such as reopening the government, focusing on affordable health care and reducing the cost of living, the government is attacking citizens who simply want to express their opinions peacefully.
Organizers believe that the protests show that the American people do not want to live in a country where leaders rule over the people like “kings.”