Large crowds protested against the war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s actions in “No Kings” rallies across the U.S. and in Europe. Minnesota took center stage, with thousands of people celebrating resistance to Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement.
Minnesota’s flagship event on the Capitol lawn in St. Paul featured Bruce Springsteen as its headliner. He and other speakers praised the state’s people for opposing a surge of U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement agents over the winter.
Springsteen performed “Streets of Minneapolis,” a song he wrote in response to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. He mourned their deaths but said the state’s refusal to cooperate with ICE gave hope to the rest of the country.
“People rallied from New York City to small towns like Driggs in Idaho. U.S. organizers estimated that millions participated in the No Kings rallies. Protests were mostly peaceful, but some arrests were reported.
In Los Angeles, tear gas was deployed near a federal detention center, leading to arrests. In Denver, an unlawful assembly was declared after protesters blocked a road and some threw smoke canisters at officers.
The White House and the National Republican Congressional Committee criticized the rallies as leftist-funded events without strong public support.
Trump’s immigration enforcement, the war in Iran, and the rollback of transgender rights were key issues at the rallies. About 40,000 people marched in San Diego, while in Washington, hundreds protested near the Lincoln Memorial.
Protests also took place in other countries, including Italy, the UK, and France. Demonstrators expressed opposition to various policies and actions of the Trump administration.
Organizers highlighted the broad geographic range of the rally participants, including communities in conservative-leaning states and suburbs of competitive electoral states. Actor Robert DeNiro and singer Joan Baez were among the prominent figures involved in the rallies.
Protesters held up a sign reading, “We had whistles, they had guns. The revolution starts in Minneapolis.” Various speakers and activists emphasized the need for continued resistance and political engagement.
