No Kings rallies protest Iran war and President Donald Trump actions in Minnesota

No Kings rallies across the US and Europe drew crowds protesting the war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s actions. Minnesota became a focal point as thousands gathered at the State Capitol in St. Paul, some carrying inverted US flags. Bruce Springsteen performed and linked the moment to opposition to federal immigration enforcement.

Large crowds joined "No Kings\" rallies on Saturday across the United States and parts of Europe. Protesters criticised the war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s actions. Minnesota became a central focus, where organisers expected some of the biggest gatherings. In St. Paul, thousands packed the Minnesota Capitol lawn and nearby streets. Some carried upside down US flags, a recognised distress signal.

Organisers said the main national event was set at the Minnesota Capitol. The choice followed federal agents fatally shooting Renee Good and Alex Pretti during monitoring of Trump’s immigration crackdown. The day’s headline performer was Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen sang \"Streets of Minneapolis", written after the shootings and winter protests over immigration enforcement.

No Kings rallies draw estimates of millions

US organisers estimated earlier No Kings rallies drew over 5 million people in June. A later round in October drew about 7 million, organisers said. Organisers told reporters they expected 9 million on Saturday. It remained too early to confirm that figure. They also said more than 3,100 events were registered nationwide, 500 more than October.

Rallies were reported from New York City to Driggs, Idaho. New York City has nearly 8.5 million residents in a Democratic-leaning state. Driggs has fewer than 2,000 residents in eastern Idaho. Trump carried Idaho with 66 per cent of the vote in 2024. Organisers said two-thirds of RSVPs came from outside major urban areas.

That RSVP pattern included conservative-leaning states such as Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Louisiana. Organisers also cited competitive suburban areas in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona. In Topeka, Kansas, a crowd outside the Statehouse included impersonations of a frog king and Trump as a baby. In nearby Lawrence, Wendy Wyatt drove 20 miles with a Cats Against Trump sign.

Wyatt said there were many reasons for anger with the Trump administration. Wyatt also described a sense of optimism around the gatherings. "Wyatt said there are so many things about the Trump administration that upset her, but this is very hopeful to me.\" The rallies took place as organisers promoted broader participation beyond traditional protest hubs.

No Kings rallies feature immigration, Iran war, and rights concerns

Participants raised several grievances beyond Minnesota’s immigration enforcement disputes. Many focused on the war in Iran and the rollback of transgender rights. In Washington, hundreds marched past the Lincoln Memorial into the National Mall. Signs included \"Put down the crown, clown\" and \"Regime change begins at home\". Demonstrators rang bells, played drums, and chanted \"No kings\".

Bill Jarcho travelled from Seattle and joined six people dressed as insects. The group wore tactical vests reading \"LICE", a spoof of ICE. Jarcho called it a "mock and awe tour\". \"What we provide is mockery to the king,\" Jarcho said. \"Its about taking authoritarianism and making fun of it, which they hate.\"

Police in San Diego said about 40,000 people marched there. In New York, Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union spoke at a news conference. Lieberman said Trump and supporters aimed to intimidate people from protesting. \"They want us to be afraid that theres nothing we can do to stop them,\" she said. \"But you know what? They are wrong - dead wrong.\"

No Kings rallies face pushback from Republican officials

Republican officials dismissed the demonstrations and questioned their support. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson described the rallies as driven by leftist funding networks. \"The only people who care about these Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them,\" Jackson said in a statement. The National Republican Congressional Committee also issued a sharp response.

NRCC spokesperson Maureen OToole criticised the protests in stronger terms. \"These Hate America Rallies are where the far-lefts most violent, deranged fantasies get a microphone,\" OToole said. Protest organisers did not accept that characterisation. They pointed to participation outside large cities. They also cited the rise in registered events compared with October.

No Kings rallies in Minnesota highlight Springsteen and other speakers

Organisers expected around 100,000 people at the Minnesota Capitol on Saturday. A June event at the same site drew an estimated 80,000 people. Before Springsteen performed, organisers played a video message from Robert DeNiro. DeNiro said Trump left DeNiro depressed each morning. DeNiro added that Saturday felt better due to protests, and praised Minnesota residents for running ICE out.

Before playing \"Streets of Minneapolis", Springsteen spoke about the deaths of Good and Pretti. Springsteen said continued resistance to US Customs and Immigration Enforcement inspired others. "Your strength and your commitment told us that this was still America,\" Springsteen said. \"And this reactionary nightmare, and these invasions of American cities, will not stand.\"

The Minnesota bill also listed singer Joan Baez and actor Jane Fonda. Sen. Bernie Sanders was also scheduled, alongside other activists and labour leaders. Protesters displayed a large sign on the Capitol steps. It read, \"We had whistles, they had guns. The revolution starts in Minneapolis.\" Springsteen’s Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour carries a No Kings theme.

The tour is set to begin Tuesday in Minneapolis, organisers said. The Minnesota event was described as the national flagship gathering. Organisers linked that status to the shootings by federal agents during immigration enforcement monitoring. The wider series of rallies extended across many US states. The events also included public performances, speeches, and symbolic demonstrations.

No Kings rallies spread to Europe, Latin America and Australia

Rallies were planned in more than a dozen countries, Ezra Levin said in an interview. Levin is a co-executive director of Indivisible, which is spearheading the events. Levin said countries with constitutional monarchies used the name \"No Tyrants\". In Rome, thousands marched with chants aimed at Premier Giorgia Meloni after a failed referendum on judicial changes.

In Rome, protesters also criticised Israeli and US attacks on Iran. Some banners called for \"A world free from wars.\" In London, demonstrators opposed the war in Iran with signs reading \"Stop the far right\" and \"Stand up to Racism.\" In Paris, several hundred gathered at the Bastille on Saturday morning, including Americans in France and French unions.

Ada Shen, described as the Paris No Kings organiser, spoke about the motive for protesting. \"I protest all of Trumps illegal, immoral, reckless, and feckless, endless wars,\" Shen said. Across locations, organisers and participants linked the rallies to concerns about war, rights, and government actions. The day ended with ongoing uncertainty about total turnout figures.

With inputs from PTI