A huge wave is poised to sweep across the United States, and a grassroots movement called "Against the King" is gathering strength aimed straight at Trump. Their slogan is simple and direct: "We don't want a king", behind which is the people's deep worry about the erosion of * norms.
The organization is scheduled to launch a U.S.-wide demonstration on Saturday, October 18 (East Time), from New York’s bustling streets to Chicago’s Wind Town and the coast of San Francisco, with massive demonstrations in major cities.
The organizers expect that the number of participants will reach millions, a truly national action. The storm even blew across national borders, and voices of solidarity came from Canada, Mexico and some European cities, showing its international influence.
In October alone, there were hundreds of events planned across the U.S., and it is said that there were more than 2,500 events on an unprecedented scale.
Rain will fill the building.
This upcoming storm did not rise out of thin air. Several recent incidents have added fuel to the fire, completely igniting public anger.
The Trump administration authorized the deployment of the National Guard to cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles, a move seen by many as a red flag for militarization.
The Ministry of Homeland Security’s promise of mass deportation of immigrants without legal documents has once again touched the sensitive nerves of society.
Behind these specific incidents is deeper social anxiety. The federal government is in its third week of shutdown, and a large number of federal employees are either forced to take leave or directly unemployed, causing their lives to be in trouble.
There is a widespread concern that the American democratic system is being manipulated by a minority and that power is excessively expanding in silence.
Accusations against Trump themselves have also risen, including the deployment of federal armed forces in several states, attempts to censor the content of the talk show, and even the spread of claims that he is seeking a third term.
War without weapons.
This is not the first time that the "Anti-King" movement has made its appearance. Looking back on this year, their action trajectory shows a clear upward curve, with participation and scale continuing to grow.
As early as April 5, they organized a protest called "Stop it", when more than 500,000 people gathered in more than 1200 locations across the country to express their dissatisfaction with the tariff policy leading to a decline in stock markets and layoffs at federal agencies.
By June 14, the day was specifically chosen because it was both the birthday of Trump and the founding day of the U.S. Army. This spring, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Army, this choice was full of symbolic meaning.
On that day, the group organized about 1,800 to 2,000 protests nationwide, and the number of participants ballooned to millions. Their purpose is clear, that is, to confront Trump's planned military parade at that time and protest the excessive display of his power.
This grassroots movement has its own set of strict rules, and they have a clear commitment that all actions will be carried out in a non-violent manner, which is an insurmountable red line.
In order to ensure safety, the organizers even held a 90-minute safety training to help local organizers practice how to respond to various emergencies that may occur.
They have a tough requirement for participants: a ban on carrying any type of weapon, even those that are legally held, without exception.
However, this does not mean that the protests are serious and boring.The forms of activity are very diverse, and there are both traditional rallies and parades, such as in New York City, where people will see music, dance and all sorts of creative emblems, the whole scene more like a carnival.
In Portland, protesters have even used their sense of humor, using inflatable costumes and funny dances to express themselves, conveying serious demands in a relaxed way. The detailed time and place of all activities can be found on their official website.
A divided world.
Such a large-scale social movement naturally aroused a violent echo in the political arena, and the reactions of different camps were diametrically opposite, highlighting the deep tear of society.
Many Democratic members of Congress have come forward to express their support for this protest. Senate leader Chuck Schumer directly refuted the Republican accusation, saying it was nothing more than poor political manipulation.
While the Republicans were on fire, House Speaker Mike Johnson reluctantly labeled the protests as “hate-American rallies” and claimed it was a conspiracy planned by the Democrats behind them.
Transport Minister Sean Duffy's rhetoric was more intense. He claimed that these protesters were "extremists who collected money to make trouble" in an attempt to fundamentally deny the legitimacy of the activities.
The participation of social celebrities also added more highlights to this debate. Hollywood movie star Robert De Niro spoke out on social media, calling Trump "Donald I" in a sarcastic tone, which quickly spread.
More significant is the power of the unions, with the 820,000-member U.S. Government Employees’ Association (AFGE) issuing a formal appeal to its members to join the demonstration, defining the move as a firm counterattack to authoritarianism.
Despite the organization’s strong advocacy for peace, past experience shows that the shadow of violent conflict has always existed, such as previous vehicle attacks in Virginia, which lay a layer of uncertainty over this upcoming mass activity.
conclusion
Stripping aside the layers of political war of words, we can see the core demands of ordinary participants. What they really care about is the checks and balances of power and social justice.
Some commentators calmly pointed out that this massive protests are undoubtedly able to maximize public attention and create public opinion pressure.
However, if we want to achieve fundamental changes, we must eventually return to the track of institutions and laws. Relying solely on street politics is not enough.
The more profound significance of the protest is that it is seen as a comprehensive test of the American democratic system. It is like a mirror, reflecting the people's long-standing anger and triggering the entire society's profound reflection on the future.
There is a view that the abuse of power is compared to a slowly leaking water pipe, which may not be easily noticed at first, but if not repaired in time, it will eventually erode the foundation of the whole house, leading to a systematic collapse.
Regardless of the outcome, the people’s actions and voices themselves are a solid force, an integral part of the democratic process, and unfortunately, Trump never seems to ignore it.
Russian Sputnik News Agency 2025-09-10 "The United States will hold another demonstration against Trump's policies on October 18"