“`html
Demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump have commenced in cities across the United States.
In New York City, Times Square was already heavily crowded with protesters shortly after the demonstration began Saturday morning.
Streets, sidewalks, and subway entrances were packed as participants displayed signs bearing slogans such as “Democracy not Monarchy” and “The Constitution is not optional.”
Chants of “This is what democracy looks like” periodically rose from the crowd, accompanied by the constant beat of drums and the sound of noisemakers.
While rallies in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles maintained a vibrant atmosphere, Trump allies accused demonstrators of aligning with the far-left Antifa movement, condemning what they termed a “hate America rally.”
Organizers and protesters at Saturday’s events maintain that demonstrations remained peaceful.
Helicopters and drones surveyed the scene in New York City, where police maintained a presence on the sidelines.
An organizer announced via loudspeaker that 100,000 people had participated, though it was unclear whether this figure represented attendance solely in Times Square or across New York City’s five boroughs, where smaller events were also underway.
One police officer estimated that over 20,000 individuals were marching along 7th Avenue.
Beth Zasloff, a freelance writer and editor participating in the New York City protest, expressed outrage and concern over what she described as a “move toward fascism and an authoritarian government” within the Trump administration.
“I care a lot about New York City,” Zasloff stated. “It gives me hope to be out here with many, many other people.”
Since returning to the White House, Trump has asserted an expansive view of presidential power, employing executive orders to block congressionally approved funding, dismantle federal programs, impose sweeping tariffs, and deploy National Guard troops despite state governors’ objections.
The president defends his actions as necessary to address a national crisis, dismissing accusations of dictatorial or fascist tendencies as hyperbolic. However, critics argue that certain administration actions are unconstitutional and pose a threat to American democracy.
Massimo Mascoli, a 68-year-old retired electronic engineer and New Jersey resident originally from Italy, stated his participation in the protests stems from a desire to prevent the US from succumbing to fascism, as his home country did in the past.
“I am the nephew of an Italian hero that deserted the Mussolini army and joined the resistance,” Mascoli said. “He was tortured and killed by the fascists, and after 80 years, I didn’t expect to find fascism again in the United States.”
Mascoli voiced particular concern regarding the Trump administration’s immigration policies, widespread tariffs, deployment of National Guard troops to US cities, and healthcare cuts impacting millions of Americans.
“We cannot count on the Supreme Court, we cannot count on the government,” Mascoli said. “We cannot count on the Congress. We have all the legislative, the executive and judiciary that are all against the American people right now. So we are fighting.”
Protests are expected to continue nationwide throughout the day. In Washington, D.C., Senator Bernie Sanders delivered a keynote address.
“We’re not here because we hate America, we’re here because we love America,” he said to a crowd of thousands.
At the D.C. march, the BBC observed a man wearing a MAGA hat who stated he was visiting the city and decided to observe the protest. While declining to provide his name, he indicated that while he did not fully “get it”, interactions had been civil. Shortly after, a woman directed a derogatory comment toward him.
Across Europe, protesters gathered in cities such as Berlin, Madrid, and Rome to express solidarity with their American counterparts. Approximately two hundred protesters also convened outside the US embassy in London, UK.
US protest organizers assert that the demonstrations aim to challenge Trump’s “authoritarianism.”
In an interview with Fox News, scheduled to air on Sunday but previewed on Saturday, Trump appeared to address the rallies.
“A king! This is not an act,” Trump stated in a preview clip of the interview. “You know – they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.”
“We’ll have to get the National Guard out,” Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said ahead of the rallies, according to CNN.
“Hopefully it’ll be peaceful. I doubt it.”
Republican governors in several US states have placed National Guard troops on standby, but it is unclear how visible the military presence will be.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated the state’s National Guard on Thursday in anticipation of a protest scheduled in Austin.
He cited the “planned antifa-linked demonstration” as the reason for deploying the troops.
Democrats, including the state’s top Democrat Gene Wu, denounced the move, arguing: “Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do – and Greg Abbott just proved he’s one of them.”
Virginia’s Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin also ordered the state National Guard to be activated.
In Washington, D.C., where the National Guard has been deployed since August at Trump’s request, no troops were visible at the protest, although local police were present.
One protester at the rally in the capital held up a sign that read “I am antifa”.
Chuck Epes, 76, said it was a “loaded” term, and just meant he supported “peace, daycare, livable wage, healthcare”, as well as immigrants and people of colour.
“He’s gaslighting everybody – or trying to, and it ain’t working,” he said.
A core principle of all No Kings events is non-violence, the group explicitly states on its website, which also urges all participants to de-escalate any potential altercations.
Americans are deeply divided on Donald Trump. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 40% approved of his performance as president, while 58% disapproved. This puts him about on par with his average approval rating during his first term, but lower than his 47% approval rating when he took office for the second time in January.
It is common for presidents to become more unpopular as their term wears on. Joe Biden had a 55% approval rating, according to Reuters/Ipsos, in January 2021. By October of that year, his approval had declined to 46%.
Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam was freed from prison after being wrongfully convicted for a 1980 murder.
The 99-year-old broadcaster and naturalist wins for his work narrating the series Secret Lives of Orangutans.
Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi allegedly joined a paramilitary group that fought alongside Hamas during the 7 October attack.
George Santos was jailed for seven years for stealing identities, including from members of his own family.
Salesforce boss and Time Magazine owner Marc Benioff posted the apology on X following days of backlash
“`