More than 2,500 demonstrations across all 50 states are slated for today in the second round of “No Kings” protests, which aim to broadly reject what organizers describe as President Donald Trump’s “authoritarian” agenda.
That’s about 450 more events than were planned for the first go-round in June, when about 5 million people across the country took to the streets to protest Trump’s administration as he held a military parade in Washington.
Here are some key things to know:
• Central issues: The first round of protests came after the five-month opening blitz of Trump’s second term, which saw moves targeting birthright citizenship, protections for transgender people, student protesters, federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and more.
Over the summer, the administration has only “doubled down,” protest organizers say, including with mass immigration raids, the deployment of federal troops into Democratic-led cities, and the president’s retribution tour.
• Republican response: Some Republican leaders have labeled the protests as anti-American. House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed, without evidence, that the rallies have contributed to the ongoing government shutdown.
GOP Sen. Roger Marshall alleged “professional protesters” and “agitators” will show up, and House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested participants would be “pro-Hamas” and “Antifa people.”
• Organizers emphasize peaceful protest: Organizers say they are planning peaceful demonstrations aimed at providing a clear contrast to the administration’s show of force.
On its website and in materials for local organizers, the nonprofit organizer Indivisible Project has emphasized “nonviolent action.” The group says it has trained tens of thousands of people in safety and de-escalation.