This is a show of force claimed by the “No Kings” movement. According to its organizers, at least 8 million demonstrators gathered on Saturday, March 28 in over 3,300 organized protests across the 50 American states. A record figure, although not confirmed by U.S. authorities who have not provided an official estimate.
From New York to the West Coast, the marches multiplied, marking the third major day of mobilization for the movement in a year. Compared to the previous rally in October, organizers report an increase of about one million participants and 600 additional gatherings.
While opposition to Donald Trump remains a key driver, other factors fuel the anger of the protesters. Among them, the war in the Middle East and American immigration policy, embodied by ICE, the American anti-immigration police.
A protest fueled by multiple fronts
In New York, Karen, a member of a local association, explains that they have organized a form of collective vigilance: “We have equipped people with whistles to alert if they see ICE in order to attract more people and push back the agents. If everyone remains organized, we can respond in a unified manner.”
On the ground, protesters describe a growing mobilization. Blake, present at every rally since Donald Trump returned to power, observes: “There are more people. We don’t know how this will end, but the goal is to come together to say: this is not what we want.”
Aron, holding a flag with the inscription ‘this is what democracy looks like in hand’, emphasizes the democratic stakes: “As a Jew, we have rarely felt as safe as here thanks to her. (…) And the idea that we should link our fate to that of a president is in total contradiction with the teachings of Jewish history.”
In the marches, the rhetoric is sometimes unfiltered. Laura, wife of a Vietnam veteran and anti-war activist, does not mince words: “Everything this man touches turns into sh*t, he is a psychotic and megalomaniac a**hole. We have been protesting against him for decades and it’s great to see so many young people getting involved.”
