The No Kings protests on October 18th are estimated to be the largest single-day protest in the history of the United States, with the event organizers placing attendance estimates around 7 million. For reference, the previous record-holders were Hands Across America in 1986, and the first No Kings in June, both with an estimated attendance of 5 million. In Madison, WMTV puts attendance numbers at around 15,000.
No Kings is a nation-wide coordinated protest against the numerous and sundry misdeeds of the second Trump Administration, with the primary grievance being, as their name suggests, that Trump is acting as a king. Trump has objected to this characterization in interviews while also posting A.I. generated videos of himself dressed as a monarch.
The event is the result of collaboration between over 200 organizations, including Indivisible, the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, and the American Federation of Government Employees. It took place over 2,700 locations across the nation. Protestors marched through countless streets, carrying colorful and often witty signs while chanting affirmations of democracy and rejections of hatred. Inflatable costumes were a common sight, adding an air of whimsy to the event and detracting from Republican claims that the protests would be dangerous riots.
Most marches ended in a rally, during which national and local figures spoke in support of protestors. Notable speakers throughout the country include Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Bill Nye. In Madison, U.S. representative Mark Pocan, Rev. Judge Everrett Mitchell of the Dane County Circuit Court, and Ben Wikler, the former chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, were among those who spoke. The march was also attended by the Forward Marching Band, who lifted spirits through jubilant, furious song.
The overall tone of the protest in Madison was one of pointed camaraderie and shared passion—people sported signs on topics including but far from limited to the genocide in Gaza, abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant’s rights, and demands for the release of the Epstein files, but all were marching together, various causes unified by their direction towards a singular enemy. Volunteers snaked throughout the crowd, leading chants and distributing much-needed bottled water. At one point during the march, a large cloud blocked out the sun, and a wave of cheers went up at the momentary respite. Community was formed that day, in the crucible of mutual fury and endurance of weather.
The ACLU affirms that No Kings was a powerful expression of the First Amendment right to peaceful protest, stating that “Mass mobilization isn’t just about numbers; it’s about shaping the public narrative. When our opposition spreads misinformation to justify repression, or sows fear in an attempt to divide us, our collective, peaceful response becomes a truth that cannot be manipulated or ignored.” They also note that the protests are a means to a larger end, rather than an end in and of themselves. The camaraderie found in those gatherings is what catalyzes individual fury into collective action. It is the first step in a long, winding staircase, but it is one that none will walk alone. The ACLU encourages attendees to take the energy of that day, and channel it into further action.
