Thousands March in 'No Kings' Protest Against Trump Administration

Demonstrators in New York City and across the country voice dissent over ICE raids, Iran war, and economic issues

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A colorful, fragmented painting depicting an inflatable dinosaur costume and paper-mâché butterflies, conceptually representing the energy and diversity of the 'No Kings' protest against the Trump administration.Vibrant, fractured imagery captures the creative spirit and determination of the 'No Kings' protest against the Trump administration.NYC Today

Thousands of people marched through the streets of New York City on March 28 as part of the 'No Kings' protest, one of over 3,000 demonstrations nationwide against the Trump administration. The protesters, ranging from high school students to longtime activists, expressed concerns over issues like ICE raids, the Iran war, and economic challenges facing Americans. The march featured creative displays like paper-mâché butterflies, inflatable dinosaurs, and colorful signs.

Why it matters

The 'No Kings' protests represent widespread public dissent against the Trump administration's policies and actions, particularly around immigration enforcement, foreign conflicts, and economic inequality. The large turnout across the country signals the depth of opposition to the current administration and the desire for change among a diverse cross-section of the American public.

The details

The March 28 protest in New York City saw thousands of people march from 57th Street and 7th Avenue through Times Square, with volunteer marshals estimating over 100,000 protesters across the city. The demonstration featured creative displays like paper-mâché butterflies, inflatable dinosaurs, and colorful signs addressing issues like ICE raids, the Iran war, and economic challenges. While the crowd skewed older, people of all ages and backgrounds participated, including high school students organizing a May 1 student strike.

  • The inaugural 'No Kings' protest was held on June 14, 2025, coinciding with President Trump's birthday.
  • A second 'No Kings' protest took place on October 18, 2025.
  • The March 28, 2026 protest was the third in the series of nationwide demonstrations.

The players

Jay Walker

An organizer with Hands Off NYC and Rise and Resist, Walker led chants and described the protest's 'powerful,' 'alive,' and 'electric' atmosphere.

Vicious Price

An activist and drag queen who attended the protest with the art collective Many Hands Workshop, Price spoke about the transformative power of visual art in bringing communities together.

Erin Ott

A high school student from New Jersey who attended her first major protest, Ott expressed feeling a sense of 'humanity and hope' from being part of the large, diverse crowd.

Stacy Tran

A Fordham College student who grew up in the Bronx, Tran marched alongside the New York City Democratic Socialists of America to support working-class and immigrant communities.

Kristin Poor

Poor attended the protest with her wife and young daughter Hazel, discussing the power of collective action and the importance of teaching children to stand up for their beliefs.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“A huge wide swath of the American public do not stand for fascism, do not stand for authoritarianism, are against the billionaire Epstein class and are going to fight them with every ounce of energy that we have.”

— Jay Walker, Organizer, Hands Off NYC and Rise and Resist

“The purpose of Many Hands and the art that I do is to show people that your community sees you. You're able to see something physical that you wouldn't be able to get without talking to people and being like, 'Do you agree with my politics?' … This helps you see it in a visual way that brings the community together.”

— Vicious Price, Activist and Drag Queen

“I go to a really Republican school, so I feel alone a lot and I latch onto a lot of people who agree with my political views. So seeing all these people here, it kind of gives me a sense of humanity and hope a little bit, because I feel kind of sheltered and lost.”

— Erin Ott, High School Student

“It was very important, as someone who has the privilege to get higher education, to support the people that I grew up around and let them know that I'm there to represent them (and) the working class around the entire country.”

— Stacy Tran, Fordham College Student

“I really wanted to be out in a big, critical mobilization of people … so that we can show with our numbers what we're all thinking and feeling and doing on our own. It feels good.”

— Kristin Poor, Protester

What’s next

The next major 'No Kings' protest is planned for June 14, 2026, coinciding with the anniversary of the first demonstration and President Trump's birthday.

The takeaway

The 'No Kings' protests have become a powerful expression of the widespread public opposition to the Trump administration's policies, uniting a diverse coalition of Americans who are determined to protect democracy and fight against authoritarianism, economic inequality, and human rights abuses. The creative displays and passionate participation of protesters of all ages suggest this movement will continue to grow in the years ahead.