M A Hossain,
When millions of Americans chanted “No kings” across all 50 states on October 18, it was not just a protest — it was a declaration of faith in the republic. Nearly seven million citizens stood together to reject what they see as President Donald Trump’s slide towards authoritarianism. Their message was simple: no leader is above the law.
The “No Kings” movement draws on the moral spirit of 1776. Its rallying cry – “No thrones. No crowns. No kings” – evokes the United States’ revolutionary origins as a warning against modern autocracy. Protesters fear not overt tyranny, but the creeping erosion of institutions and the normalisation of unchecked executive power.
With disciplined organisation and peaceful resolve, the movement became one of the largest civic mobilisations since Trump’s return to office. Civil rights and teachers’ unions coordinated rallies, and some demonstrators wore inflatable costumes. Beneath the humour lay anxiety about issues like healthcare cuts and the militarisation of cities.
Critics dismissed the protests as partisan theatrics, but they were something broader. Protesters united not around party identity but around the principle of constitutional balance. In doing so, the cultural left rediscovered the language of classical liberalism: rule of law, separation of powers and limits on executive authority.
Trump’s reaction only reinforced the symbolism. He mocked the rallies by sharing AI-generated videos of himself wearing a crown.
The challenge for “No Kings” is sustainability. Protest energy often fades without institutional engagement. Some hope to channel outrage into civic participation and voter turnout ahead of the 2026 midterms. If successful, the movement could redefine America’s political landscape.
The republic’s survival has long rested on one truth: democracy dies not from coups, but from complacency. For one weekend, Americans remembered that power must be resisted – and restrained.
M.A. Hossain, Dhaka
This article published at :
1. South China Morning Post, HK : 25 Oct,25
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