Millions Join No Kings Protests Nationwide in Response to Trump Military Parade

Millions of Americans flooded the streets nationwide this past weekend as part of the growing “No Kings” movement—a direct response to the Trump administration’s military parade and its broader immigration policies.

Organizers say more than 5 million people participated in demonstrations across the country, from Los Angeles and Atlanta to Chicago and Washington, D.C. The protests coincided with the Army’s 250th birthday celebration, marked by a grand military parade in the nation’s capital—an event that also happened to fall on President Donald Trump’s birthday.

While the president framed the parade as a patriotic tribute to the armed forces, critics saw it as a political spectacle. Protesters cited fears of rising authoritarianism, sweeping deportation efforts, and what they called a dangerous consolidation of executive power.

“We haven’t had a king since 1776, and we want to keep it that way,” one demonstrator said.

Though most protests remained peaceful, authorities reported isolated incidents of violence. One person was killed in a shooting at a protest in Salt Lake City. In Denver, over 30 arrests were made. In Los Angeles, escalating tensions led to rocks, bottles, and fireworks being thrown at police. The city remains under an 8 p.m. curfew.

Despite the unrest in some areas, organizers say the turnout was a powerful display of democratic action and a warning to leaders in Washington.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.