Across the globe, a powerful wave of dissent against Donald Trump’s presidency has manifested in a series of “No Kings” protests, with the latest wave on March 28 seeing an estimated 9 million people take to the streets worldwide. These demonstrations, which have been building momentum since June 14, 2025, and continued through October, highlight a growing international concern over Trump’s policies and their impact.
The movement’s reach extends far beyond the United States, with significant rallies observed in countries such as Germany, Italy, and Australia. In Paris, France, demonstrators held aloft signs proclaiming “Dump Trump,” while in Madrid, Spain, the streets echoed with chants and placards reading “Power to the people.” Even in Sydney, Australia, a local resident was seen holding a sign expressing solidarity with the sentiment, stating, “We can’t stand him either.” In Amsterdam, the message was starkly conveyed with a placard that read, “WTF America.”
The Evolution of the “No Kings” Movement
Naveed Shah, the founder of the Common Defense group, established in 2016 to galvanise military veterans in support of progressive politics, spoke about the remarkable and rapid expansion of the “No Kings” movement. He articulated the core motivations behind the protests, stating, “When I stood at the first ‘No Kings’ rally, we were fighting to protect democracy at home and against federal agents and troops that were deployed on American streets, against a government that was manufacturing a crisis to justify using its power against its own people.”
Shah elaborated on the enduring nature of their struggle, noting, “Today, we’re still fighting that same fight, but now that manufactured crisis has gone global.” This sentiment underscores a belief that the issues initially driving the protests in the US have now resonated and manifested as global concerns.
Grassroots Support and Growing Momentum
The executive director of MoveOn, Katie Bethell, has lent her organisation’s significant grassroots support to the “No Kings” protests. She expressed the commitment of their members, stating, “Our members will be turning out peacefully in the streets because they believe in a better future for this country, and they can’t sit by on the sidelines about what Trump and his administration are doing to our home.”
Bethell did not mince words when describing the perceived threat posed by the Trump administration. “Let’s be clear, the Trump administration has become a threat to the American people at every level. They are waging violence at home and abroad,” she declared.
A Growing Tide of Opposition
The scale of these protests has been consistently increasing. An estimated 7 million people participated in rallies against the Trump administration in October, a significant increase from the approximately 5 million who protested in June. Organisers of the “No Kings” movement were anticipating an even larger turnout for the March 28 demonstrations, with projections nearing 9 million participants globally.
The widespread opposition has been noted by various political figures and commentators:
- Concerns over Republican Leadership: One former representative suggested that a recent public statement by a GOP leader revealed underlying Republican fears regarding the “No Kings” movement.
- “People Power” and Disruption: The group spearheading the “No Kings” protests has been actively recruiting a substantial base of supporters for what they term “daily disruption,” indicating a strategy of sustained action.
- Allegations of Incitement: There have been claims from a former Republican Representative that the Trump administration was planning to “incite violence all day” at the “No Kings” protests, raising serious questions about the conduct of government.
- Anticipation of Largest Display: The “No Kings” protests scheduled for Saturday were widely anticipated to be the most significant display of opposition against Trump to date.
- Political Engagement: Prominent figures like Bernie Sanders have indicated their intention to engage directly with Trump, with plans to deliver a powerful address at a “No Kings” protest.
