The event, running under a “No Kings” banner, calls for a reclamation of democracy without the need for “a king” like the president, who “thinks his rule is absolute.” It’s part of a nationwide series of events protesting against the current administration.
Participants marched around the D.C. region and are encouraged to wear yellow as a “visible optimistic banner that carries the weight of Democratic struggle,” the organization’s website reads.
In an interview with WTOP on Saturday, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said the protests showed “a great American portrait all day, people standing up for the country they love.’
“Millions of people around the country are saying yes to our democracy, and yes to our rights,” Van Hollen said, “but no to Kings, no to a lawless president who has been focused on stripping away people’s rights — whether their rights to due process, whether their rights to free speech, whether their rights to a fair justice system.”
“These protests represent the very best of American democracy, and when Speaker Johnson and the Republicans can’t win the argument, they decide to engage in that kind of language, by labeling these democratic protests as hateful,” he said.
Ezra Levin, a leading organizer of Saturday’s protests, told The Associated Press that the demonstrations are a response to what he called Trump’s “crackdown on First Amendment rights.”
Levin, the co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, pointed to Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown, his unprecedented promises to use federal power to influence midterm elections, restrictions on press freedom and retribution against political opponents.
Speakers at the rally included Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, TV scientist Bill Nye and British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, among other figures.
In a video posted on X, Sanders said his message of the protest is simple: “People fought and died throughout the history of this country to preserve our democracy. And we’re not going to let Trump or anybody else take it away.”
Taking to the streets
On Pennsylvania Avenue in the District, pediatrician Dr. Evonne Bing, who was attending the event, said one issue that was important to her was the Trump administration’s approach to vaccine policies.
She told WTOP that she had much fear about children being unable to grow up healthy.
“I’ve seen measles, I’ve seen mumps, I’ve seen rubella, I’ve seen polio,” said Dr. Bing. “Vaccines are safe for all. You might have a little pain, you might have a little sniffle, but you’ll be alive.”
While thousands gathered in the city, other protests took place around the region.
In Chevy Chase, Maryland, Jill Caporale, who organized the “No Kings” rally in the neighborhood with the theme of “Singing 4 Peace & Democracy,” said she and a group of friends who are singers came together to perform for the occasion.
“We felt song always brings us together,” said Caporale. “We are here to show support for the country. We love our country.”
Caporale said their group was concerned that Trump seemed to be indicting enemies while giving friends a break.
“George Santos gets a pardon,” said Caporale. “Jan. 6 people get a pardon.”
In Prince George’s County, a No Kings protest shut down nearly 5 miles of Route 1, and have over 1500 people in attendance, according to advocacy group Indivisible Route 1 Corridor.
“We’re saying ‘No Kings’ because we need to keep the momentum going to fight back against increasing oppression against our vulnerable neighbors,” Indivisible Route 1 Corridor founder and Hyattsville resident Stephanie DeLorenzo said in a statement.
Republicans respond
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a social media post that members of the National Guard will be on duty at the protests “to ensure the Guard will be ready to respond alongside our substantially increased police presence to help keep Virginians safe.”
“We call it the ‘Hate America rally’ that’ll happen Saturday. Let’s see who shows up for that,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said.
“I bet you see pro-Hamas supporters. I bet you see Antifa types. I bet you see the Marxist in full display, the people who don’t want to stand and defend the foundational truths of this republic, and we do, and that’s what we’re here doing every single day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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