On March 28, 2026, thousands gathered in St. Paul, Minnesota, and cities across the United States and Europe to protest against the ongoing war in Iran and the actions of President Donald Trump. Dubbed “No Kings” rallies, the demonstrations aimed to draw attention to various grievances related to the administration’s policies, particularly concerning immigration enforcement.
### Large Turnout in Minnesota
St. Paul served as the national focal point for the day’s events, where organizers estimated that over 200,000 people participated, significantly surpassing the turnout from the Women’s March in 2017. Attendees filled the Capitol lawn and adjacent streets, with some demonstrators displaying upside-down U.S. flags, a historical symbol of distress. The event featured prominent singer Bruce Springsteen, who performed “Streets of Minneapolis,” a song inspired by recent violent incidents involving federal law enforcement and communities protesting immigration actions.
Before his performance, Springsteen addressed the crowd, honoring the victims of those incidents while expressing gratitude for the community’s resilience. “Your strength and your commitment told us that this was still America,” he stated, condemning what he termed a “reactionary nightmare.”
The Minnesota rally featured a host of well-known figures, including folk singer Joan Baez, actress Jane Fonda, and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. Their involvement underscored the event’s significance as a platform uniting various voices against the current administration’s policies.
### Nationwide Participation
The “No Kings” movement saw rallies not only in Minnesota but also across the country, from major cities like New York and Chicago to smaller towns such as Driggs, Idaho. Organizers had anticipated substantial participation, estimating that around 9 million people would join in 3,100 registered events nationwide, a significant increase from earlier rallies in June and October, which had drawn 5 million and 7 million attendees, respectively.
In Manhattan, thousands marched, while events in Philadelphia and Chicago also saw significant turnout, disrupting normal traffic patterns as protesters voiced their dissent. The momentum of the rallies was evident, with organizers reporting a rise in participation, particularly in traditionally conservative regions.
Despite the large attendance, the White House characterized the protests as a result of “leftist funding networks” and dismissed them as lacking genuine public support. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson referred to the protests as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions,” further indicating a divide between the administration and protesters.
### Global Solidarity
Internationally, the “No Kings” protests extended to more than a dozen countries, including Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. In Rome, thousands marched, displaying banners condemning the Israeli and U.S. military actions in Iran and calling for “A world free from wars.” Similar sentiments were echoed in Paris, where American expatriates and local labor unions came together to protest against Trump’s policies and military interventions.
Ada Shen, one of the organizers in Paris, articulated the sentiments of many participants: “I protest all of Trump’s illegal, immoral, reckless, and feckless, endless wars.” Chants and slogans rallied around themes of anti-war sentiment and opposition to authoritarianism, drawing connections between local and global issues.
### The Broader Context
The demonstrations come at a time of heightened political tension as the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement practices have faced significant backlash, particularly in states like Minnesota, which has become a focal point for activism. Protesters expressed frustrations not only about immigration but also broader social issues, including the rollback of transgender rights and the war in Iran.
As the rallies continued, the multiplicity of voices—from activists and artists to everyday citizens—underscored a collective call for a reevaluation of U.S. policies both domestically and internationally. Protesters both in the U.S. and abroad chanted “No kings,” a phrase emblematic of their demands for accountability from leaders perceived as undermining democratic values.
The “No Kings” rallies signify a significant mobilization of individuals united under a common cause, reflecting such sentiments across diverse populations and geographies. As the protests unfolded, the next steps for both the organizers and the administration remain to be seen.
Source: Original Reporting
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