People participate in a "No Kings" national day of protest in New York on October 18, 2025.
Some Signs I Saw at the No Kings Rally
If we are going to save the country, it’s clear it’s going to have to be done by the millions of people like those who attended this rally.
The rally was in Livermore, California, a burgh of about 85,000, 50 miles to the east of San Francisco. This is a small, exemplary sampling of the many hundreds of signs carried by the many thousands of protesters.
“Memo to the fascists: peaceful protest is not violent insurrection.”
“ICE is Trump’s Gestapo.”
“When cruelty becomes normal, compassion becomes radical.”
“If you love America, this is how you show it.”
“No Dick-tators.”
“Super callous fragile racist lying nazi POTUS.”
“No faux-king way we’re gonna take this.”
“It’s bad enough that even introverts are here.”
“The reason you should care is not that it could happen to you, but that it’s already happening to others.”
“Hate never made a country great.”
“So many concerns; so little cardboard.”
“If I had a nickel for every time Trump lied, I wouldn’t need Social Security.”
“No kings. No felons. No pedophiles.”
“When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.”
“No troops in our cities.”
“Only YOU can prevent fascist liars”
“If you’re doing what’s right, why do you need to wear masks?”
“Citizens, not subjects”
“In a democracy, the opposition is not ‘The enemy within’”
“I’d rather be a fierce patriot than a loyal subject."
“Sorry, Trump; we are NOT intimidated.”
“Trump: Is Netanyahu blackmailing you? Release the Epstein files.”
“Orange lies matter.”
“The best way to protect our rights is to exercise them.”
“We are the King family and even we say ‘No Kings.’”
“Protest while you still can.”
“Freedom is not a state of mind. It’s an act.”
“If you love America, this is how you show it.”
“Trump: you can’t arrest all of us.”
“I will defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
“Nobody paid me to be here. This is the 'Free' part of ‘Freedom.”
“Ikea has better cabinets than Trump.”
“Democracy dies in silence.”
“USA; King-free since 1776.”
“Why does Trump release Santos but not the Epstein files?”
“Trump is the real outside agitator.”
“Liar. Con man. Pedophile.”
“Not antifa. Just anti-fascist.”
“I don’t bow, to Kings, or anybody.”
“Silence is complicity.”
“Hey, Kristi Noem: We’re not animals. Don’t treat us like your puppy.”
“OMG GOP WTF.”
“Stop pretending your racism is patriotism.”
“The manifesto of resistance is called ‘The Constitution.’”
“Freedom doesn’t wear a crown.”
“I believe Stormy Daniels.”
“Hope is stronger than fear.”
“I’m not taking civics lessons from a 34-time convicted felon.”
“Power of the people is stronger than the people in power.”
“In a time of pervasive lying, truth-telling becomes a revolutionary act.” ~George Orwell
Trump has learned how to neuter those centers of power that might challenge him: law firms, universities, media, etc. His press secretary has called Democrats, “terrorists” and “criminals,” a predicate for silencing or eliminating them. If we are going to save the country, it’s clear it’s going to have to be done by the millions of people like those who attended this rally. Get YOUR signs ready. It’s going to be a long march.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Robert Freeman is the Founder and Executive Director of The Global Uplift Project, a leading provider of educational infrastructure for the developing world. He is the author of The Best One Hour History series whose titles include World War I, The Cold War, The Vietnam War, and many others.
The rally was in Livermore, California, a burgh of about 85,000, 50 miles to the east of San Francisco. This is a small, exemplary sampling of the many hundreds of signs carried by the many thousands of protesters.
“Memo to the fascists: peaceful protest is not violent insurrection.”
“ICE is Trump’s Gestapo.”
“When cruelty becomes normal, compassion becomes radical.”
“If you love America, this is how you show it.”
“No Dick-tators.”
“Super callous fragile racist lying nazi POTUS.”
“No faux-king way we’re gonna take this.”
“It’s bad enough that even introverts are here.”
“The reason you should care is not that it could happen to you, but that it’s already happening to others.”
“Hate never made a country great.”
“So many concerns; so little cardboard.”
“If I had a nickel for every time Trump lied, I wouldn’t need Social Security.”
“No kings. No felons. No pedophiles.”
“When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.”
“No troops in our cities.”
“Only YOU can prevent fascist liars”
“If you’re doing what’s right, why do you need to wear masks?”
“Citizens, not subjects”
“In a democracy, the opposition is not ‘The enemy within’”
“I’d rather be a fierce patriot than a loyal subject."
“Sorry, Trump; we are NOT intimidated.”
“Trump: Is Netanyahu blackmailing you? Release the Epstein files.”
“Orange lies matter.”
“The best way to protect our rights is to exercise them.”
“We are the King family and even we say ‘No Kings.’”
“Protest while you still can.”
“Freedom is not a state of mind. It’s an act.”
“If you love America, this is how you show it.”
“Trump: you can’t arrest all of us.”
“I will defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
“Nobody paid me to be here. This is the 'Free' part of ‘Freedom.”
“Ikea has better cabinets than Trump.”
“Democracy dies in silence.”
“USA; King-free since 1776.”
“Why does Trump release Santos but not the Epstein files?”
“Trump is the real outside agitator.”
“Liar. Con man. Pedophile.”
“Not antifa. Just anti-fascist.”
“I don’t bow, to Kings, or anybody.”
“Silence is complicity.”
“Hey, Kristi Noem: We’re not animals. Don’t treat us like your puppy.”
“OMG GOP WTF.”
“Stop pretending your racism is patriotism.”
“The manifesto of resistance is called ‘The Constitution.’”
“Freedom doesn’t wear a crown.”
“I believe Stormy Daniels.”
“Hope is stronger than fear.”
“I’m not taking civics lessons from a 34-time convicted felon.”
“Power of the people is stronger than the people in power.”
“In a time of pervasive lying, truth-telling becomes a revolutionary act.” ~George Orwell
Trump has learned how to neuter those centers of power that might challenge him: law firms, universities, media, etc. His press secretary has called Democrats, “terrorists” and “criminals,” a predicate for silencing or eliminating them. If we are going to save the country, it’s clear it’s going to have to be done by the millions of people like those who attended this rally. Get YOUR signs ready. It’s going to be a long march.
- Organizers Ramp Up Push for Oct. 18 No Kings Actions Against 'Wannabe Dictator' Trump ›
- 1,800+ 'No Kings' Rallies Planned Across US as Trump Deploys Military to Crush Protests ›
- No Kings Movement Announces Next Day of Nationwide Actions for Oct 18 ›
- Millions Rise Up to Say in Unison: 'No Kings!' 'No Dictator!' ›
- As Trump Escalates Attacks on Dissent, Oct. 18 'No Kings' Protests Set to Be Even Bigger Than June ›
- 'No Kings' Rallies Against Trump Authoritarianism Could Be 'Largest Protest in US History' ›
- Opinion | On No Kings Day, a New America Came to Life | Common Dreams ›
Robert Freeman is the Founder and Executive Director of The Global Uplift Project, a leading provider of educational infrastructure for the developing world. He is the author of The Best One Hour History series whose titles include World War I, The Cold War, The Vietnam War, and many others.
The rally was in Livermore, California, a burgh of about 85,000, 50 miles to the east of San Francisco. This is a small, exemplary sampling of the many hundreds of signs carried by the many thousands of protesters.
“Memo to the fascists: peaceful protest is not violent insurrection.”
“ICE is Trump’s Gestapo.”
“When cruelty becomes normal, compassion becomes radical.”
“If you love America, this is how you show it.”
“No Dick-tators.”
“Super callous fragile racist lying nazi POTUS.”
“No faux-king way we’re gonna take this.”
“It’s bad enough that even introverts are here.”
“The reason you should care is not that it could happen to you, but that it’s already happening to others.”
“Hate never made a country great.”
“So many concerns; so little cardboard.”
“If I had a nickel for every time Trump lied, I wouldn’t need Social Security.”
“No kings. No felons. No pedophiles.”
“When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.”
“No troops in our cities.”
“Only YOU can prevent fascist liars”
“If you’re doing what’s right, why do you need to wear masks?”
“Citizens, not subjects”
“In a democracy, the opposition is not ‘The enemy within’”
“I’d rather be a fierce patriot than a loyal subject."
“Sorry, Trump; we are NOT intimidated.”
“Trump: Is Netanyahu blackmailing you? Release the Epstein files.”
“Orange lies matter.”
“The best way to protect our rights is to exercise them.”
“We are the King family and even we say ‘No Kings.’”
“Protest while you still can.”
“Freedom is not a state of mind. It’s an act.”
“If you love America, this is how you show it.”
“Trump: you can’t arrest all of us.”
“I will defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
“Nobody paid me to be here. This is the 'Free' part of ‘Freedom.”
“Ikea has better cabinets than Trump.”
“Democracy dies in silence.”
“USA; King-free since 1776.”
“Why does Trump release Santos but not the Epstein files?”
“Trump is the real outside agitator.”
“Liar. Con man. Pedophile.”
“Not antifa. Just anti-fascist.”
“I don’t bow, to Kings, or anybody.”
“Silence is complicity.”
“Hey, Kristi Noem: We’re not animals. Don’t treat us like your puppy.”
“OMG GOP WTF.”
“Stop pretending your racism is patriotism.”
“The manifesto of resistance is called ‘The Constitution.’”
“Freedom doesn’t wear a crown.”
“I believe Stormy Daniels.”
“Hope is stronger than fear.”
“I’m not taking civics lessons from a 34-time convicted felon.”
“Power of the people is stronger than the people in power.”
“In a time of pervasive lying, truth-telling becomes a revolutionary act.” ~George Orwell
Trump has learned how to neuter those centers of power that might challenge him: law firms, universities, media, etc. His press secretary has called Democrats, “terrorists” and “criminals,” a predicate for silencing or eliminating them. If we are going to save the country, it’s clear it’s going to have to be done by the millions of people like those who attended this rally. Get YOUR signs ready. It’s going to be a long march.
- Organizers Ramp Up Push for Oct. 18 No Kings Actions Against 'Wannabe Dictator' Trump ›
- 1,800+ 'No Kings' Rallies Planned Across US as Trump Deploys Military to Crush Protests ›
- No Kings Movement Announces Next Day of Nationwide Actions for Oct 18 ›
- Millions Rise Up to Say in Unison: 'No Kings!' 'No Dictator!' ›
- As Trump Escalates Attacks on Dissent, Oct. 18 'No Kings' Protests Set to Be Even Bigger Than June ›
- 'No Kings' Rallies Against Trump Authoritarianism Could Be 'Largest Protest in US History' ›
- Opinion | On No Kings Day, a New America Came to Life | Common Dreams ›