Thousands of New Yorkers flock to Times Square for ‘No Kings’ protest against Trump
The New York City march that started in Times Square was one of more than 2,500 “No Kings” protests organized nationwide, with reports indicating that over 100,000 people attended. This marked the second march following the last “No Kings” protest held on June 14, coinciding with former President Donald Trump’s birthday.
Protesters came from all five boroughs of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to march from 42nd Street down to 14th Street. The march began at 11 a.m., flooding the streets with anti-Trump posters and chants.
Trump, who spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, addressed the protests ahead of the event. “They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he said in a Fox News interview that aired early Friday.
As the protesters headed downtown along 7th Avenue, various groups and organizations joined the march, including the Writers Guild of America East. Numerous nonprofit and advocacy groups partnered for the New York event, such as the Manhattan Young Democrats, Brooklyn Young Democrats, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), New York nurses union, and the Democratic Socialists of America.
### Police Presence Deployed at ‘No Kings’ Protests Nationwide
New York Police Department (NYPD) officers from several city precincts and the community affairs bureau escorted protesters downtown, clearing streets of traffic. One to three officers were stationed at the corner of each block, as bystanders cheered the protesters from sidewalks and apartment windows.
On Saturday morning, the NYPD announced there would be heightened officer presence throughout the city during the protest. “The NYPD will be out to make sure everyone can peacefully and safely exercise their first amendment right,” the department posted on X. “As a reminder, there will be zero tolerance for any illegal activity or anyone who breaks the law.”
After the nearly two-hour march, protesters gathered in Union Square Park, where organizations set up booths and organizers delivered speeches. People continued streaming into the park for two hours after the first arrivals.
### Democrats Flaunt ‘No Kings’ Posts on Social Media
Democratic lawmakers including Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL) attended various protests across the country. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also joined the New York City march alongside SEIU 1199 members.
“I proudly marched side-by-side with labor unions and so many more of our fellow citizens in NYC,” Schumer posted on X. “We have no dictators in America. And we won’t allow Trump to keep eroding our democracy.”
Elijah Parks, an SEIU 1199 union member, said healthcare motivated his participation in the march. “Healthcare is a human right, no matter whether it’s a level one trauma, the government knows that you still need healthcare no matter what,” Parks said. “Even though Trump is doing what he’s doing now, healthcare is still a human matter.”
Parks added that everyone is currently in “survivor mode.” “We’ve been to Albany. We’ve been to different states to show them like politics is not a game,” he explained.
Sam Richards, delegate of the SEIU 1199 chapter, emphasized the seriousness of the moment. “This is not a joke” about the Trump administration’s policies, Richards stated. “This is people’s livelihood. Your job. Everything is involved in this, so we’re going all-out no matter what.”
“We built this country. We found this country, and we make sure this country gonna stay the way it’s supposed to be under the rules and regulations of this country whether they like it or not,” he added.
### Republicans Condemn the Protests
Several Republicans condemned the protests, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who criticized Schumer’s “No Kings” post by calling him “shameless.”
“In his desperation, he’s selfishly chosen to ‘show a fight’ by: 1) shutting down the entire federal government; 2) demanding $1.5 trillion in NEW wasteful spending; and 3) promoting a rally openly sponsored by Communists,” Johnson stated.
### Soros Groups Are Funding Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ Protests
While there were no counterprotests at the New York City event, one conservative content creator was confronted and debated by several protesters. “No Kings” volunteers pointed arrow signs at him that read, “Right wing troll.”
Long Island resident Kristina Schwab attended the protest with her friend Emily Pernice, and both witnessed the interaction. “Obviously he’s here to just start something,” Schwab said. “I don’t think the people here know, like [he is] rage baiting… the organizers did a good job of pointing it out so nobody gets kind of blindsided.”
The two women also attended the first “No Kings” protest in June together. Pernice shared, “It’s really encouraging to see how many people believe in the same thing that you believe in when you feel like the world is just a s*** show and everything’s going wrong.”
Jan, a New York City resident for over 50 years who came with a group from the Democratic Club, described the crowd as “tremendous” and said it was “wonderful” to see people of all ages, races, and backgrounds at the march.
### No Kings, No Peace, No Money, No Way
“I’m really heartened by [the march],” Jan said. “I mean, just to see this many people out, and all kinds of signs and buttons, some homemade and some have been printed on, and the fact it’s very peaceful.”
Jan also addressed criticism of the “No Kings” protesters. Some people referred to them as “haters,” she said, but added, “it’s the farthest thing that you see or feel here today.”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3856144/thousands-gather-no-kings-protest-new-york/
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