Quick Read
- More than 2,600 ‘No Kings’ rallies held nationwide, including Austin, protesting Trump administration policies.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed National Guard and state troopers to Austin amid security concerns.
- Protests remained largely peaceful, with diverse participation from Democrats, Republicans, and independents.
- Organizers and supporters framed the rallies as a patriotic defense of democracy; critics called them anti-American.
- Solidarity rallies took place in Europe, and celebrities joined US demonstrations.
Why Austin Became a Flashpoint for the ‘No Kings’ Movement
On October 18, 2025, the streets of Austin pulsed with energy as thousands joined the nationwide ‘No Kings’ protests, a coordinated wave of rallies confronting President Donald Trump’s administration and its recent crackdowns on free speech and civil liberties. From Times Square in New York to the National Mall in Washington D.C., and stretching deep into Texas, a chorus of voices demanded accountability, transparency, and the upholding of constitutional rights.
What set Austin apart was more than its size or the diversity of its crowd. The city became a microcosm for the tensions roiling the country: a state capital with a history of both progressive activism and hardline government response. With Governor Greg Abbott ordering the Texas National Guard and state troopers to patrol the city ahead of the demonstration, citing potential ‘antifa-linked’ threats, the stakes felt higher than ever. Local law enforcement, led by Police Chief Lisa Davis, assured the public that officers would protect the right to assemble, but also enforced a zero-tolerance policy for violence or property damage.
Inside the Protest: Voices from Austin and Beyond
Among the crowd in Austin, stories abounded—some ordinary, some remarkable. Cammy Dunford, one of the event organizers in nearby Frisco, reflected the broad coalition represented at the rallies: “This is not just Democrats. It is Democrats, Independents, Republicans, non-voters that we hope to turn into voters.” Her words captured the underlying hope that the protest could channel frustration into civic engagement.
Families from across Texas made the trip, weaving personal celebrations with political action. Leslie Smith from Cedar Hill, in town for a wedding anniversary, decided to join the march with her family: “My son’s face when he saw all the people was amazing,” she told NBC News. For many, the protest was as much about community as it was about politics—a rare moment of unity in a time of division.
Across the nation, similar scenes played out. In Fort Worth, thousands filled Burk Burnett Park, some dressed as characters from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” evoking themes of resistance and dystopian rule. In Dallas, the signs read “No Kings” and “Elect More Women,” while counter-demonstrators waved pro-Trump banners. In Plano, the local Democratic Party estimated 3,000 participants at a single intersection, with honking cars signaling support and a handful of dissenters nearby.
Political High Stakes: National Guard, Government Shutdown, and Counter-Narratives
The protests unfolded against the backdrop of a government shutdown and heightened federal immigration enforcement. President Trump’s administration, facing criticism for its “authoritarian power grabs,” responded by deploying National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities, including Austin. Governor Abbott justified the move as necessary for public safety, pledging to deter “criminal mischief” and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone committing violence or property damage.
Yet to many demonstrators, the presence of armed troops symbolized exactly what they were protesting—a drift toward authoritarianism. Gene Wu, Texas’s top Democrat, condemned the deployment: “Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do—and Greg Abbott just proved he’s one of them,” he told BBC News.
The debate spilled onto cable news and social media. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett argued the protests “make no sense,” insisting that the ability to protest is proof that America isn’t ruled by a king. Trump himself, in a Fox News interview, dismissed the notion: “A king! This is not an act. You know—they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.” Supporters of the protests, meanwhile, framed their actions as the highest form of patriotism, exercising the First Amendment rights the administration was accused of undermining.
Solidarity, Celebrity, and the Global Reach of Protest
The ‘No Kings’ movement stretched far beyond Austin. Throughout Europe, solidarity rallies blossomed in Berlin, Madrid, and Rome, echoing the American call for democratic values. Celebrity voices joined in—Jane Fonda, Kerry Washington, John Legend, and Alan Cumming among them—using their platforms to urge nonviolent resistance and civic engagement.
At the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy headlined the event, denouncing Trump’s “corrupt” leadership and warning of attacks on free speech, fair elections, and independent journalism. Science educator Bill Nye rallied the crowd with a history lesson and a call to action: “No thrones! No crowns! No kings!” His words reverberated through the gathering, drawing a direct line between the protest and America’s founding principles.
The atmosphere, though charged, remained largely peaceful. In cities like Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, protesters in inflatable dinosaur and unicorn costumes brought a touch of humor to the proceedings, holding signs that read “fascism is prehistoric.” In Miami and Ann Arbor, Michigan, passing cars honked in support as crowds assembled with banners and flags.
Security, Safety, and the Question of Democracy
Officials in Texas, Virginia, and other states coordinated with federal agencies to monitor potential disruptions. Austin’s police department deployed its “Dialogue Police Team” to facilitate peaceful assembly and de-escalate tensions. While some Republican officials described the protests as “anti-patriotic” or even dangerous, organizers stressed their commitment to nonviolence and constitutional rights.
In Chicago, the focus shifted to immigration enforcement, with organizers denouncing federal agents’ aggressive tactics under “Operation Midway Blitz.” Kathy Tholin, of Indivisible Chicago, summed up the sentiment: “What is more American than standing up to protest against policies and programs that you don’t agree with?”
The legacy of past protests loomed large, including the tragic events in Minnesota last June, when Democratic lawmakers were targeted in political violence. Organizers cited those moments as motivation for peaceful but determined resistance.
A Nation Divided—But Not Silenced
As dusk settled over Austin and other cities, the message of the ‘No Kings’ protests was clear: millions of Americans remain engaged, passionate, and unwilling to accept what they see as threats to democracy. The images—families marching, celebrities speaking, banners waving—told a story of a country at a crossroads, wrestling with its identity and future.
In Austin, the ‘No Kings’ protest became a vivid tableau of American democracy in action: fervent, messy, sometimes tense, but ultimately peaceful. The sheer diversity of voices—from lifelong activists to first-time demonstrators—underscored a central truth: the struggle for free speech and accountable government is ongoing, and its outcome will be shaped not by kings, but by the collective will of the people.