'No Kings' protests attracts thousands in New York City, across Tri-State area

Tens of Thousands of demonstrators crowded into streets, parks and plazas across the U.S. on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump before a Washington military parade marking the Army's 250th anniversary that coincides with the president's birthday.

Follow live updates on "No Kings" protests across the U.S.

In New York City, the biggest "No Kings" demonstration began at Bryant Park on Saturday afternoon before the crowd of an estimated 50,000 marched down Fifth Avenue to Madison Square Park.

"Flag Day is really about not $40 million worth of military stepping or taking a knee to a wannabe king. We will not be bullied into silence," Donna Lieberman, executive director of NY ACLU, told the demonstrators. "We will not stand by and let him wreak havoc with our courts and our schools and universities, which are the foundation of our democracy. We will not stand by and let the racist-in-chief turn back the clock on equal rights for Black people, for women, for the LGBTQ community. No, we will not stand by and again demonize immigrants."

Organizations like New York Immigration Coalition took part in protesting the recent actions by ICE taking people into custody.

"Showing up to immigration court and being snatched and disappeared. We're seeing people who have status, immigration, legal status, having their statuses revoked, college students being snatched and disappeared off the streets of New York City," Murad Awawdeh said.

For some in attendance, this was their first rally New York City. Others have marched these streets dozens of times before, but they all believe change is possible if they're united.

"It's on us, guys. We're literally together, literally together. We're the Avengers now. No one, no one is going to come and save us. Then Americans. Americans unite," actor Mark Ruffalo said.

"My father and all my uncles fought the fascists in World War Two. And I'm 66 years old. And now it's my turn. I'm going to keep fascism out of this country peacefully," protestor Joe Tait said.

Demonstrators march down Fifth Avenue during the "No Kings" protest, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in New York.

(AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Marchers in the crowd that stretched for blocks along Fifth Avenue had diverse reasons for coming, including anger over Trump's immigration policies, support for the Palestinian people and outrage over what they said was erosion of free speech rights.

But there were patriotic symbols, too. Leah Griswold, 32, and Amber Laree, 59, who marched in suffragette white dresses, brought 250 American flags to hand out to people in the crowd.

"Our mothers who came out, fought for our rights, and now we're fighting for future generations as well," Griswold said.

Some protesters held signs denouncing Trump while others banged drums.

"We're here because we're worried about the existential crisis of this country and the planet and our species," said Sean Kryston, 28.

In New Jersey, crowds of demonstrators marched in a local "No Kings" protest and rally that started at the Seated Lincoln Statue in Newark. Officials, including New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. LaMonica McIver, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, were expected to speak at the event.

Mayor Baraka made headlines last month after officials arrested the mayor for allegedly trespassing at ICE detention center Delaney Hall .

While Baraka's trespassing charged was eventually dropped, Rep. McIver, who was with the mayor during his visit, was later indicted by a grand jury on federal charges alleging she impeded and interfered with immigration officers outside of Delaney Hall while he was being arrested after he tried to join a congressional oversight visit at the facility.

Organizers said protests were planned in nearly 2,000 locations across the country, from city blocks and small towns to courthouse steps and community parks. The 50501 Movement, which is orchestrating the protests, says it picked the "No Kings" name to support democracy and speak out against what it calls the Trump administration's authoritarian actions. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

The demonstrations come on the heels of protests that flared up across the country over federal immigration enforcement raids that began last week and Trump ordering the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, where protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire.

Ahead of the march, the NYPD and organizers say they have the same goal - give people a chance to take part in their right to protest and ensure everyone remains safe. The NYPD said 12 people were arrested on Saturday at various protests throughout the city.

The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a statement by organizers.

Organizers intend for the protests to counter the Army's 250th anniversary celebration, which Trump has ratcheted up to include an expensive, lavish military parade. The event will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be his 79th birthday and Flag Day.

"The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us," the "No Kings" website says. "On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he isn't - to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

No protests were scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C.

---

Some information from the Associated Press