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Hundreds gathered outside the U.S. consulate in Toronto Saturday afternoon for the “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump.
The demonstration in Toronto is one of several events taking place in the U.S. and abroad to protest policies enacted by the Trump government and recent global issues.
One major concern for many protestors is the “lawless war” in the Middle East that began without Congress’ approval, said Julie Buchanan, Toronto chair for Democrats Abroad.
“That’s against the constitution,” she said. “That’s just one thing, there’s so many things [that Trump has done], it’s hard to count.”
Dozens of rallies have taken place in the U.S. over the past few weeks since the White House and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
Demonstrators marched through downtown Toronto Saturday, holding a variety of signs with phrases like, “history repeats if we stay silent” and “injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere.”
WATCH | Scenes from the last No Kings event in October 2025:
Large crowds join ‘No Kings’ protests across U.S.
Organizers say roughly 2,500 events were planned for the second nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest against the Trump administration — nearly double the number from earlier this year.
Buchanan said aside from supporting sister rallies across the world, Toronto’s protest is a way to bring together American or dual citizens to encourage them to vote.
She said there’s no official number for how many Americans live in the country, but that roughly 600,000 U.S. citizens in Canada voted in the last election.
“Every American should vote, especially this coming midterm election,” Buchanan said.
Trump reacted to previous No Kings rallies by insisting “I’m not a king,” and saying attendees were “not representative of the people of our country.”
Demonstrators marched through downtown Toronto holding colourful signs with phrases protesting against U.S. President Donald Trump. (Michael Aitkens/CBC)U.S. issues ‘hit home’: protester
Trump’s policies are also affecting Canadians, including those in Hamilton, said protester Laurie O’Neal.
She said a group in Hamilton gathers every Saturday to protest against U.S. issues that are affecting them.
“You can’t just brush [Trump] off and think he’s crazy,” she said. “Until it happens to your own family then you’re all up in arms about it, so that hits home also.”
Another demonstrator Beverly Ambler said she was there out of shock for the “selfishness, tyranny and lack of respect for humankind” across the border.
“Unless you’re an Indigenous person, then [Americans and Canadians] come from immigrant stock,” she said. “It’s wrong to target people just because of where they are born.”
Earlier this month, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she would ask city council to oppose any involvement of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the city when it hosts FIFA World Cup games. She took it a step further and even voiced her opposition on social media.