Thousands of protesters march through downtown Austin for the No Kings rally, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered at the Texas Capitol then marched through downtown Austin to Auditorium Shores Saturday for the “No Kings” protest, part of a nationwide movement against President Donald Trump’s administration and what organizers and protesters describe as growing authoritarianism and threats to democracy.
Representatives from various organizing groups like Hands Off Central Texas and the Communications Workers of America union spoke in front of the crowd before the march to Auditorium Shores began. Other speakers included U.S. representatives Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar as well as Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who just announced her candidacy for the Texas governor’s race.
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“There’s a lot of talk about Trump, and rightfully so, but his tactics started right here in Texas,” Hinojosa said.
Saturday’s events remained peaceful, despite concerns around Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to deploy Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and Texas National Guard solders to Austin ahead of the protest.
“When we lose our fear, we win. And, quite frankly, they lose their power,” said Derrick Osobase, vice president of CWA District 6, which spans Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
Melody Tremallo leads thousands of protesters through downtown Austin for the No Kings rally, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Some protesters wore blow-up costumes of unicorns and dinosaurs, a habit that’s become common in recent protests. Just a few weeks ago, at a protest in Portland, Ore., a video showed a law enforcement officer seemingly clogging a blow-up frog costume’s air vent with pepper spray.
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Other protesters carried American flags or similarly patriotic gear, chanting “the people united will never be divided” and “release the files,” the latter referring to case documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes that some believe may implicate Trump.
“The cadets at West Point have to take an oath — they have an honor code that says I will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do,” said Charlie Arnone, a 51-year-old U.S. Navy veteran attending the protest. “I’m personally offended that our commander-in-chief can’t abide by the simplest code we require of candidates.”
Elijah B. leads chants near the front of the rally as thousands march through downtown Austin for the No Kings protest, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
At Auditorium Shores, attendees heard from additional speakers like former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke and live musicians like Guy Forsyth. According to organizers, more than 50 nonprofit organizations and other groups set up in the park to meet with attendees.
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And of those groups, senior citizens were among the most well-represented. Advocacy groups like Third Act, the Raging Grannies, the Gray Panthers and the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans hosted tents on Saturday. They called their corner of the park the “wisdom village.”
Jan Lance, 73, said the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans is especially concerned about the future of the Affordable Care Act.
“Seniors have to be engaged,” she said. “When we advocate for senior issues, we, in the end, advocate for our family’s issues.”
Lance has two grandchildren, and she said they inspire her “to try to do everything I can to try to make a better world for them.”
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Just two tents down, 74-year-old Judy Gradford said she and other “Raging Grannies” are personally outraged.
“We’re very concerned about what’s happening to immigrants, we’re very concerned about what’s happening to communities of color, what’s happening at universities, what’s happening all over this country, where people are being attacked and trying to be silenced,” Gradford said.
The event wrapped up around 5 p.m. with no arrests reported, according to the Austin Police Department.
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A press release from nationwide organizers of the protests said nearly 7 million people gathered for more than 2,700 protests across the country.
Protesters crossing the First Street bridge are reflected in the sunglasses of a protester watching the crowd go by as thousands march through downtown Austin for the No Kings rally, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman