‘No Kings’ Protests See Major Crowds, Violence in Some States

Demonstrators turned out across the U.S. on Saturday to participate in coordinated “No Kings Day” protests, aimed at denouncing President Donald Trump’s leadership.

While many of the events reportedly remained largely peaceful, several cities saw violent altercations, including a vehicular assault in Virginia and a shooting in Utah.

Why It Matters

The protests took place in hundreds of U.S. cities, according to Reuters, with large-scale gatherings reported in major hubs such as Philadelphia; Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and New York.

The rallies coincided with the president’s 79th birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington D.C.

No Kings Protest LA — Protesters carry a banner representing the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during a “No Kings Day” demonstration on June 14, 2025.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

What To Know

In Portland, Oregon, officers deployed tear gas and flash grenades, with demonstrators breaching an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, according to the Daily Mail, which reported that four police officers were injured during the clashes.

In Culpeper, Virginia, a 21-year-old man, Joseph R. Checklick Jr., was arrested after allegedly driving his SUV into a dispersing crowd in a parking lot, striking at least one person.

Meanwhile, in Salt Lake City, shots were fired during a No Kings march, critically injuring one person. KUTV reported that police took a person of interest into custody after the shooting, which occurred downtown just before 8 p.m., according to the outlet.

Despite clashes at some, local reports from around the country noted that many of the demonstrations were large, but peaceful.

Protests also took place in cities such as Detroit, and Chicago, where marchers held signs including “Deport Trump to Hell” and “America Is the Land of Immigrants.” In Washington D.C., demonstrators wheeled a caricature of Trump wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet, the Daily Mail reported.

What People Are Saying

The San Diego Police Department said on X, formerly Twitter, following protests on Saturday: “You stayed classy, San Diego. Thank you to the thousands who demonstrated peacefully today. No arrests, and no incidents.”

WGN News Reporter Courtney Spinelli posted on X, Saturday: “Police estimate the crowd at the “No Kings” protest in Chicago was ~15,000 deep.

Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling: ‘What I saw from the start, was a bunch of people that came out here to exercise their first amendment right. They were very peaceful, very complimentary of the officers.’

Republican congressional candidate Lily Tang Williams said on X, Saturday: “We ran into the first ‘No Kings’ protest in Fort Lauderdale, FL. It is peaceful so far, police officers are present, traffic is slow. I heard Miami might have bigger one. Be careful out there and stay calm!”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on X, Saturday: “30,000 people showed up across our city to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest today—that’s powerful. A curfew is in effect in Downtown Los Angeles to stop bad actors who do not care about immigrants’ rights. Get home safe, LA.”