“No Kings” protest to stand against oligarchs, ICE, Democrats’ inaction and Trump’s escalations

—5 min read—

Trump’s claims and illustrations of him wearing crowns and sitting on thrones posted on X by the White House lead opposition groups to revive the “No Kings” protest title from 1775 for the second time this year, on Oct 18th. Photos from Wikimedia Commons and Pro Bono Photo

Remember this past June 14th? NYC had white skies, wet sidewalks, and warm wind. The same day, an estimated five million people in more than 2,000 cities joined a global march accusing President Trump of abusing his power— as a $25–$45 million military parade rolled through Washington.

Organizers of the No Kings protest are calling again on —not only those against Trump’s authoritarian actions—but also for everyone who refuses to accept the grip of mogles on the government, those who see ICE’s operations as unlawful, and those whoever is tired of the lack of strength of the Democrats’ position.

This year’s second march is planned for Oct 18th at 11am between 47th and 14th street on Broadway.

The backdrop is tense. Trump is threatening to deploy the military against American citizens in Chicago and other Democratic cities without congressional authorization and over the objections of state governors, calling on the Insurrection Act, a move meant to stop coups against the government. His administration has also cracked down on freedom of speech by targeting pro-Palestine student protesters, law firms that have represented his political opponents and the press —most recently, all journalists covering the Pentagon, who have left their posts rejecting new policies of confidentiality and censorship.

Protestors also call out corporations favored by the administration on this demand for justice. Fossil fuel companies ExxonMobil and Chevron, investment management companies Blackstone and Kushner, defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and many pharmaceutical and health insurance firms are among the accused.

As hundreds of people in ICE custody are still missing and videos of agents tackling Americans to the ground swirl on social media, protesters' indignation increases.

“If no one pushes back, then BAM, they have authoritarian powers,” said Ezra Levin, one of the founders of the resistance group, Indivisible, in an online strategy meeting with members nationwide. Indivisible is the umbrella organization calling on other civic opposition alliances.

According to Ezra, there are 2,200 leaders representing the group in multiple states and even other countries. The Indivisible Instagram account has 270K followers and 93K on Threads.

“We need Bernie and AOC to really take the lead, get Schumer and Jeffries on board, and really get louder,” a participant of the meeting said, referring to the Democratic senators, congressmen, and congresswomen opposing Republican initiatives to cut healthcare subsidies.

Signs passed on at the NYC’s Indivisible group meeting.

In New York, the groups joining this coalition include Columbia University faculty members who want to reopen the gates of the campus closed after protests against the war in Gaza. Members of the theater industry, New Yorkers from some of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods, and long-time activists were all there in support.

“The resistance is not powerless,” said a NYC organizer of an in-person gathering on Oct. 11th, as they prepared and unified for the upcoming protest.

The meet-up went over plans to encourage ICE officers to quit and to hold hotels in NY accountable for accommodating them.

Participants planned to ridicule Trump with their signs. They discussed boycotting companies —Whole Foods, Amazon Prime, Citizens Bank, and Target at the top of the list— for winding down or abandoning their Diversity and Inclusion programs.

They were urged by their leaders to call representatives with specific requests, hold public events, document them, and share videos that senators and congress members can use on the floor as backup to their front.

The Federal Government shutdown continues as most Democrats oppose a military spending bill and push for health care subsidies.