Peaceful anti-fascists showed up in record numbers to No Kings protests

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On Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, millions of Americans poured into the streets to participate in the nation-wide "No Kings" protest. Early estimates places this as one of the largest national protests, if not the largest, with millions of people protesting in communities across every state. In the cities, large crowds assembled to protest the authoritarianism of the Trump administration. 

                                                    Other 98 Instagram collage of No Kings protests
                                                    across the country

The New York Times decided to place the story about the No Kings march on p. 23 of their print edition. They love to report on events through the eyes of "Trump voters" and this event would not allow that. (They rarely – if ever – ask non-Trump voters for their thoughts on issues – but go to Trump voters time and again for their thoughts and opinions – the asymmetrical coverage suggests that Trump voters have much more power and weight and numbers than they actually do have.) 

Prior to this day, Republican leadership claimed that these protests were "Soros-funded" – which has long been GOP short-hand for "notorious Democratic Party investor." Speaker of the House Mike Johnson made the claim that "No Kings" protesters all "hate" America. In fact, the right to peaceably assemble is guaranteed in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights, making protests eminently American and patriotic. 

Though the GOP shared a report claiming it proved Soros funds "terrorism," the NY Times reported that the report shared by the GOP shows no link between George Soros and the funding of terrorism groups. Unfortunately for our democracy, the party in power now defines any opposition to be the result of terrorism and terrorists and that is a major problem in a nation with only two viable political parties. 


JD Vance, US VP, posted an A.I. generated video of Trump placing a crown on his own head, facing an audience of kneeling Democrats. The lack of professionalism in our leadership today is appalling and sad. But we need to take their dreams of unchecked authoritarianism seriously and literally. 

What the "No Kings" protests showed to voters who oppose Trump – they are not alone and that millions of Americans are not happy with the authoritarianism of this administration. Where we go from here is anyone's guess, but it is indeed a battle for the soul of the nation. 

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