Millions Join ‘No Kings’ Protests Across All 50 States as Midterms Loom

• by Shimanta Das
• October 20, 2026

Millions of Americans took to the streets on Saturday in coordinated “No Kings: Vote Early” demonstrations across all 50 U.S. states, marking a significant escalation of grassroots opposition ahead of the midterm elections. The day of action, organized by the No Kings network—which includes groups like Indivisible—drew large crowds in Washington, D.C., and other major cities, with participants urging early voting and expressing discontent with the Trump administration. The protests come amid growing backlash to President Donald Trump’s decision to federalize the National Guard and deploy troops to several major U.S. cities, a move that has sparked legal and political battles.

In Washington, D.C., the atmosphere was both festive and pointed. A large inflatable donkey bounced around next to a paper-mache replica of Donald Trump’s head, while Athena Haresign, wearing an inflatable donkey costume, joined the rally. The donkey, the floating head, and voting signs were all part of the “No Kings: Vote Early” day of action, designed to channel public frustration into electoral participation. Similar scenes unfolded in Portland, Maine, and other cities, where demonstrators gathered to voice their concerns. The backdrop of these protests includes a federal judge’s ruling that blocked the Guard’s street deployment in Chicago but allowed the units to remain under federal command—a decision that underscores the ongoing tension between the administration and local authorities.

Organizers framed the protests as a continuation of a movement that has gained momentum since the first three No Kings demonstrations. “The first three No Kings were designed to send a message,” said Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, one of the major organizations within the No Kings network. “Now, we’re turning that message into action—getting people to the polls early.” The timing is critical: voters in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, cast their ballots in the primary for midterm elections on 8 September 2026, and the protests aim to mobilize voters ahead of what many see as a pivotal election. The involvement of high-profile figures and the sheer scale of the demonstrations signal that the No Kings movement intends to be a force in the midterms.

For many participants, the motivation is deeply personal.