Protests against the policies of President Donald Trump took place in all 50 U.S. states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, and European countries. According to the organizers, nearly 7 million people participated in the events in the U.S.
Protests under the slogan No Kings took place on Sunday, October 18, in all 50 U.S. states, as well as in Mexico, Canada, and many European countries, with participants opposing the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. This is according to a map showing the locations of the events published on the organizers' website.
The protests are occurring against the backdrop of a government shutdown in the U.S. that has been ongoing since October 1, with representatives of the Democratic and Republican parties blaming each other. Participants in the demonstrations are also protesting against the "authoritarian power grab" by the president and the immigration policy, under which the National Guard has been deployed in major American cities amid raids against illegal immigrants.
Demonstrators took to the streets holding national flags and signs reading "No Kings," "Billionaires are Killing America," "Get Rid of the Regime," "Democracy, Not Monarchy," and others.
According to the organizers, nearly seven million Americans participated in events in 2,700 cities and towns across the U.S. For example, protests took place in Washington, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and other cities. "This movement is not a one-time protest. It is a growing chorus of Americans who do not wish to be ruled. Trump may want a crown, but there are no kings in this country," the movement's leadership noted.
Protests Against Trump's Policies Held in Europe
According to the map on the organizers' website, protests in Europe were planned in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands. They were primarily attended by U.S. citizens living abroad, Euronews reports.
Trump's Reaction
On the day of the protests, the U.S. president went to Florida to play golf. He commented on the protests in an interview with Fox News on October 17. When asked if the demonstrations were related to the ongoing shutdown, Trump replied, "Some say they want to extend the whole thing (the shutdown - Ed.) because of this. I’m not a king, you understand, they say that, they call me a king. I’m not a king."
The American leader also called the shutdown "a mistake by the Democrats." "I think they could just stay out of it all, to be honest. Right now we are cutting Democratic programs that we don’t need because <...> they made one mistake. They didn’t realize that this gives me the right to cut programs that Republicans never wanted," Trump said.
Previous No Kings Protests Took Place in June
No Kings protests were previously held in the U.S. on June 14 - Trump’s birthday. Demonstrations took place, in particular, in New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. Organizers claim that nearly 5 million Americans participated in them.
At that time, protests in Minnesota were canceled after a prominent Democratic politician was shot dead and another was injured on June 14. The suspect turned out to be a 57-year-old local resident. Sheets with handwritten notes saying "No Kings" were found in his car, local police reported.
At the same time as the protests in Washington, a large military parade was held to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American army. Trump himself attended the event with his wife Melania.
