This year, on the 18th of October, millions of people around the world came together to support the cause for a “No Kings” democracy. The participation of the protest ranged from Grand Rapids to London to Seoul, gathering together for the “No Kings Day of Defiance,” a coordinated global movement which aims to put a stop to what the participants see as growing authoritarianism, political corruption, and threats to the system of democracy. The overarching message is simply that the power should be held in the hands of the people, not to any individual leader.
The No Kings movement originated in the United States in 2023 as a result of a group of democracy advocates and civil rights organizations assembling to protest what they described as an “erosion of democratic norms.” The inspiration for this protest was the original rejection of a monarchy achieved through the American Revolution. The organizers chose to utilize the phrase “No Kings” as a reminder to citizens that the U.S. government was built on the foundation of checks and balances and not ruled by one person. As the years continue since then, the day has grown into a global protest known as No Kings Day and is held every October. The event has become a wake up call for citizens, encouraging them to protect democracy, stand up against corruption within the government, and hold their leaders accountable. The ACLU explains that this particular movement isn’t intended to be tied to any single political party, but aims solely to preserve the principles of democracy as written in the U.S. Constitution: free speech, fair elections, and equality.
This year’s No Kings protests held a certain weight to them seeing as how the 2026 midterm elections are up and coming as well as the heated debate over presidential power, voting rights, and judicial independence, causing many Americans to worry about the undermining of democracy. The public concern of whether any branch of government is gaining too much power have resurfaced due to the recent political tensions in regards to the disputes over executive orders, election laws, and the Supreme Court’s role. According to Reuters, protest organizers described this year’s movement as “a defense of democratic checks and balances in the face of expanding presidential authority.” Making the phrase “No Kings” not just symbolic, but a warning in a sense. “You can’t claim to love democracy if you’re okay with one person holding all the power,” said one Grand Rapids attendee. “That’s not what America was built on.”
In Grand Rapids, hundreds of members of the community and activists met at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, located along the Grand River, to join the cause. Organized by Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids, the protest featured not only speeches, but also music and signs with messages like “Democracy Over Dictatorship” and “We the People Say No Kings.” According to FOX 17, the Grand Rapids Police Department increased downtown patrols and worked with organizers ahead of the event to ensure the promise of a peaceful protest. Officers said participants were cooperative and respectful, and no major incidents were reported. One attendee of the protest said that, “It’s about showing that we care about what happens next,” and, “We’re standing together to make sure our voices matter.” This reflects the civic engagement throughout the community created by this event.
Across the U.S., rallies were held in more than 2,700 cities, according to The Verge, with an estimated seven million people participating nationwide. The National Mall of Washington, D.C. was filled with protesters that carried handmade crowns with red slashes through them. In Los Angeles, murals were painted to symbolize the rejection of political kingship. On a global scale, the No Kings movement was evident as well. Demonstrations took place in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, and Australia, taking a stand for fairness and accountability nationally. In London, marchers held a massive banner reading “No Kings — Democracy for All,” while activists in Seoul projected the phrase onto the U.S. Embassy building, showing solidarity to the United States. According to Reuters, universally, protestors were in agreement that the slogan is representative of the global notion that there should be not one person, politician, or institution that has absolute power over the people.
In Michigan, the Michigan Advance reported a large turnout in Lansing, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Grand Rapids. There were thousands of supporters gathered on the Capitol steps of Lansing who were chanting and waving flags. In Ann Arbor, students of the universities led a march through downtown to connect the protest to the rights of students and academic freedom. It was emphasized by local leaders that “No Kings” isn’t about one sole administration but a reminder that democracy requires participation to survive. “This isn’t about left or right — it’s about reminding everyone that in a democracy, we don’t have kings,” a Lansing organizer told the Advance.
In regards to local students in Grand Rapids who may want to further their involvement or education on topics similar to the No Kings movement, there are several organizations that regularly host civic engagement events. These groups include Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids, League of Women Voters of Michigan, Grand Rapids Public Library, and Kent Youth Civic Council. These organizations hold drives, forums, rallies, youth education programs, workshops, and awareness campaigns that can be found on their websites for those who may hold interest. The Detroit Free Press also published a “Know Your Rights” guide for student protesters which outlines how minors can safely attend demonstrations and exercise or further explore their rights regarding the First Amendment.
While the protests were peaceful overall, some critics were accusatory of the organizers being politically motivated. The demonstrations were also dismissed by some political leaders as being unnecessary or divisive. However, millions of participants held strong to the core belief and demonstrated firsthand that standing up for democracy is transcendent of party lines. One Grand Rapids protester emphasized, “We’re not out here to fight — we’re out here to remind everyone what democracy really means.”
The No Kings movement is reflective of growing civic activism that includes students, families, and communities on a global scale, whether you agree with the moment or not. More than anything else, the peaceful protest is causing individuals to realize that the system of democracy isn’t something that just happens, but rather something that we have to defend.
Works Cited:
American Civil Liberties Union. “Live Coverage: No Kings National Day of Action.” ACLU, 18 Oct. 2025, www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/live-coverage-no-kings-national-day-of-action.
FOX 17 News. “West Michigan Communities, GRPD Prepare for ‘No Kings’ Movement Coming to the Area.” FOX 17 West Michigan, 17 Oct. 2025, www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/west-michigan-communities-grpd-prepare-for-no-kings-movement-coming-to-the-area.
“Demonstrators Turn Out Across Michigan for No Kings Day Protests.” Michigan Advance, 18 Oct. 2025, michiganadvance.com/2025/10/18/demonstrators-turn-out-across-michigan-for-no-kings-day-protests.
Newton, Casey. “Organizers Say over 7 Million Showed Up to No Kings Protests.” The Verge, 18 Oct. 2025, www.theverge.com/news/802321/organizers-say-over-7-million-showed-up-to-no-kings-protests.
“No Kings Protesters Emerge en Masse to Decry Authoritarianism.” Reuters, 18 Oct. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/us/no-kings-rallies-expected-draw-millions-across-us-protest-against-trump-2025-10-18.
“Protesting in Michigan This Weekend? These Are Your Rights.” Detroit Free Press, 13 Oct. 2025, www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/10/13/protest-rights-no-kings-michigan/83234496007