In Photos: ‘No Kings’ protests erupt across US as thousands rally against Trump administration

Protesters march in the streets during a “No Kings” protest in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

Many demonstrators donned creative costumes, from Cookie Monster and unicorns to sharks and dinosaurs, to symbolically mock what they described as the absurdity of power. The rallies coincided with a federal government shutdown, as the White House and Republican lawmakers remained locked in a funding standoff with Democrats.

Protesters march through downtown San Francisco as part of the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations . (AP Photo)

Atlanta march draws thousands

In Georgia, The Guardian reported that roughly 10,000 people joined the Atlanta protest, which wound through streets steeped in civil rights history, from the Civic Center to the state capitol. At least 35 smaller demonstrations were held across the state, including in Brunswick, near an ICE detention centre, and in Dalton, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s district.

Protesters attend the No Kings protest at the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne, Wyo. (The Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP)

Erik Malewaski, a college professor from Marietta, said he attended the Atlanta event hoping to hear from key political voices. “I wanted to see exactly what would go down here, particularly I thought we may get speakers like Warnock and Stacey Abrams,” he told The Guardian.

Both Senator Raphael Warnock and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams spoke at the rally, condemning what they described as creeping authoritarianism under Trump.

Protest organiser Joe Ramirez speaks to the crowd during the No Kings protest at the Wyoming State Capitol, in Cheyenne, Wyo. (The Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP)

Activists also highlighted local issues, including the treatment of homeless residents ahead of next year’s World Cup. A representative from Play Fair ATL, a coalition of rights groups, urged city officials to honour their pledge not to forcibly remove unhoused people from downtown areas under pressure from FIFA and the Trump administration.

A protester carrying an effigy of Donald Trump (AP Photo)

Protesters expressed anger at recent remarks equating support for “antifa.” “I think that’s absurd,” said Nicky Cooper, a software developer in Atlanta who wore a T-shirt bearing an antifascist symbol. “Labelling people as sympathetic to terrorism is chilling… Who are we even looking for here?”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent comments to senior military leaders also drew criticism from demonstrators, reported CNN.