[Report] "No Kings" "ICE is Gestapo"... 7 Million Rally Across the US

7 Million Protesters Rally Simultaneously in 2,700 Locations Across the U.S. on the 18th
Anti-Trump Wave Sweeps Through Manhattan, New York
Peaceful Marchers Declare: "Trump Is Not a King" and Condemn "Destruction of Democracy"
Trump Mocks Protesters by Posting Video of Sludge Attack
"I Am Not a King"... Hints at National Guard Deployment in San Francisco

"Trump is a nationalist, a fascist, and an authoritarian. He incites hatred and animosity in American society and is destroying democracy."

Around noon on the 18th (local time), in the area surrounding Times Square in Manhattan, New York, a citizen encountered at the scene, which was packed with a massive crowd, told a reporter, "Trump must step down." This individual was a participant in the nationwide "No Kings" protest, held in opposition to President Donald Trump's administration. Citizens chanted slogans such as "No Kings," "American values have disappeared," and "We want democracy, not a king," condemning President Trump's authoritarian behavior. With traffic in downtown areas restricted, countless citizens marched through the streets. Although the New York Police Department (NYPD) deployed officers throughout the area in preparation for possible violence, the protest proceeded peacefully overall, taking on a festive atmosphere.

On the 18th (local time), protesters participating in the "No Kings" rally held in Manhattan, New York, USA, marched through the streets. New York=Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

The No Kings protest was held simultaneously not only in New York but also in over 2,700 locations across the United States, including Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles (LA), with an estimated 7 million participants. Protesters took to the streets to criticize President Trump's anti-immigration policies, federal government restructuring, and the government shutdown (temporary suspension of operations). The No Kings protest, first held in June, is considered one of the largest single protests in American history, and this latest protest, held four months later, drew a similarly large crowd. Approximately 100,000 people gathered in both New York and Chicago, and 200,000 in Washington, D.C.

Fred McNulty, a New York citizen who participated in the protest, told a reporter, "Trump is sending the military into Democratic cities, deporting immigrants who oppose conservative policies, and ignoring court decisions. While political views may differ, the leader of a democratic nation must respect the democratic system." He added, "Seeing so many citizens protesting peacefully has given me hope."

Protesters marched through various parts of downtown Manhattan, holding up signs condemning President Trump's policies. One participant carried a placard featuring a photo of President Trump with the words "ICE = Trump's Gestapo" written below. This compared ICE, the agency responsible for cracking down on illegal immigration, to the Gestapo, Nazi Germany's secret police, symbolizing human rights oppression. Another participant held a placard with an image of President Trump wearing a crown, marked with an X, and the phrase "No Kings."

On the 18th (local time), protesters participating in the 'No Kings' rally held in Harlem, New York, marched through the streets. New York=Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

On the 18th (local time), protesters participating in the "No Kings" rally held in Manhattan, New York, USA, marched through the streets. New York=Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

In anticipation of the protest, National Guard units were deployed in regions led by Republican governors, such as Texas and Virginia, to prepare for potential violence. However, no significant clashes occurred. In New York, a Democratic stronghold, the protest concluded peacefully, and the NYPD reported that not a single citizen was arrested.

Meanwhile, on the same day, President Trump posted a video, apparently created with artificial intelligence (AI), on his own social networking service, Truth Social. The video depicted him in military uniform, piloting a fighter jet labeled "King Trump," dropping large amounts of brown sludge over the protesters. The video, which appeared to mock the protesters, sparked controversy.

In a Fox News interview, recorded on the 18th, the day of the No Kings protest, and aired on the 19th, President Trump said, "They call me a king, but I am not a king." He went on to say, referring to the government shutdown, "We will cut Democratic programs (budgets) that we did not want," and added, "They don't realize that I have the authority to eliminate free welfare programs that Republicans never wanted."

He further fueled controversy by announcing that, following LA and Chicago, the next target for National Guard deployment would be San Francisco. San Francisco is also a Democratic stronghold, and President Trump's remarks are interpreted as a sign of his intent to push forward with his policies regardless of the public sentiment expressed through the No Kings protest. President Trump has been deploying the military to progressive-leaning regions within the United States under the pretext of maintaining public order.