‘No Kings’ protests sweep US: Why thousands took to streets against Trump on March 28

Protesters gathered across the United States on Saturday, March 28, as part of the third coordinated “No Kings” demonstration during President Donald Trump’s second term. More than 3,000 events were expected nationwide, with visible turnouts reported in California, Tennessee, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, Texas and Washington, D.C., among others.

In Saint Paul, Minnesota, the rally drew prominent figures including Governor Tim Walz, Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Ilhan Omar and actor Jane Fonda. The event also featured a performance of Streets of Minneapolis by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. Across cities, crowds marched through streets, held signs, raised slogans and drew support from passing vehicles, USA Today stated.

What the ‘No Kings’ movement is saying

Like earlier editions, the March 28 protests focused on challenging several of Trump’s recent decisions and policies. The organisers’ website highlighted concerns ranging from immigration enforcement to foreign policy and civil liberties.

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“Masked secret police terrorising our communities. An illegal, catastrophic war putting us in danger and driving up our costs. Attacks on our freedom of speech, our civil rights, our freedom to vote. Costs pushing families to the brink. Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people - not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies,” the website stated.

It further added, “On March 28, we show up together, and we say, loud and clear: No Kings.”

The statement continued: “As President Trump escalates his attempts to control us, it is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country. If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken. We are coming together again on March 28 because we know we can overcome this repression when we unite.”

US-Iran conflict and ICE actions under scrutiny

A key issue raised by protesters is the ongoing US-Iran conflict. The United States launched Operation Epic Fury on February 27, targeting Iranian military infrastructure, including missile sites and naval bases. The strikes reportedly involved drones, Tomahawk missiles and stealth aircraft, and led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The conflict has continued, with tensions centred around strategic locations such as Kharg Island, a major oil export hub.

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Trump has avoided calling the situation a “war.” Speaking at a National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC) fundraiser on March 25, he said, “I won’t use the word ‘war’ because they say if you use the word ‘war,’ that’s maybe not a good thing to do.” " They don’t like the word ‘war’ because you’re supposed to get approval. So, I’ll use the word ‘military operation’, which is really what it is. It’s a military decimation.”

Alongside foreign policy, immigration enforcement by ICE has drawn sharp criticism. Viral videos of arrests, including that of activist Aliya Rahman in Minneapolis, have fuelled public anger. Another widely shared clip allegedly showed a 17-year-old, Jonathan Aguilar Garcia, being detained while working at a Target store, with claims he was a US citizen.

Further outrage followed reports of the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot by ICE agents in Minnesota. These incidents have intensified scrutiny of enforcement practices, making ICE a central issue in the protests.