On Saturday, October 18, more than 100,000 New Yorkers mobilized as part of the nationwide No Kings day of action, rejecting authoritarian governance and standing up for democratic institutions. In New York City, the main march began in Times Square and moved south toward Union Square, while a designated Labor Delegation stepped off from Duarte Square at Canal Street and 6th Avenue, marching north. Thousands of union members participated in the Labor Delegation, and thousands more were present in the main march.
The No Kings mobilization was a direct response to the growing consolidation of executive power, including the defiance of court orders, the weaponization of federal agencies, and deep cuts to essential public services like Social Security, Medicaid, and public education. Under the banner “The president is not a king,” demonstrators peacefully called attention to a political agenda that prioritizes the wealthy while undermining the rights of working people. NYC Central Labor Council President Brendan Griffith joined a pre-march press conference in Union Square alongside labor leaders, elected officials, and community partners to emphasize that the Labor Movement is united in the fight for a just, inclusive, and democratic future. Read more here and see video from the press conference here!