No Kings rallies protest Iran war and Trump actions, as Minnesota crowds gather in St. Paul

Crowds in the US and Europe joined No Kings rallies to protest the war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s actions. Organisers expected large demonstrations, with Minnesota a focal point as thousands gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. Some displayed US flags upside down, a traditional distress signal, while speakers criticised immigration enforcement.

Crowds gathered on Saturday for No Kings rallies across the US and parts of Europe. Protesters criticised the war in Iran and President Donald Trumps actions. Organisers said Minnesota became the main focus for the largest demonstrations. Events also reached places from New York City to Driggs in eastern Idaho.

Organisers said Minnesota hosted the national flagship rally at the Capitol in St. Paul. Thousands packed the Capitol lawn and nearby streets. Some people carried upside down US flags as a distress signal. A large sign on the steps said, We had whistles, they had guns. The revolution starts in Minneapolis.

No Kings rallies draw millions, organisers say

US organisers said earlier No Kings rallies drew more than 5 million people in June. Organisers also reported about 7 million participants in October. This week, organisers told reporters they expected 9 million people on Saturday. It remained unclear whether the turnout reached that estimate by late day.

Organisers said more than 3,100 events were registered in all 50 states. That figure was about 500 more than in October, organisers said. Organisers also said about two-thirds of RSVPs came from outside major urban centres. Organisers pointed to communities in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Louisiana.

No Kings rallies highlight grievances over immigration and rights

Immigration enforcement under the Trump administration featured strongly in Minnesota protests. Protesters also raised concerns about the war in Iran and transgender rights rollbacks. In Washington, hundreds marched from the Lincoln Memorial into the National Mall. Signs included Put down the crown, clown and Regime change begins at home.

Demonstrators in Washington rang bells, played drums, and chanted No kings. Bill Jarcho attended from Seattle with six people in insect costumes. The group wore tactical vests reading, LICE - spoofing ICE. What we provide is mockery to the king, Jarcho said. Its about taking authoritarianism and making fun of it, which they hate.

Police in San Diego said about 40,000 people marched there. In New York, Donna Lieberman spoke at a news conference for the New York Civil Liberties Union. They want us to be afraid that theres nothing we can do to stop them, she said. But you know what? They are wrong - dead wrong.

No Kings rallies feature Bruce Springsteen at Minnesota Capitol

The Minnesota event headliner was Bruce Springsteen, who performed Streets of Minneapolis. Springsteen wrote the song after federal agents fatally shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Springsteen also described the song as a tribute to Minnesotans who protested immigration enforcement over the winter. Before playing, Springsteen criticised the deaths and described broader pushback.

Your strength and your commitment told us that this was still America, he said. And this reactionary nightmare, and these invasions of American cities, will not stand.

Before Springsteen appeared, organisers played a video message from actor Robert DeNiro. DeNiro said Trump left DeNiro depressed most mornings. DeNiro said Saturday felt different because millions protested. DeNiro also praised Minnesotans for running ICE out of town. Other scheduled speakers included Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, Bernie Sanders, and activists.

No Kings rallies face criticism from White House and Republicans

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the rallies as lacking broad support. Jackson described them as driven by leftist funding networks. The only people who care about these Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them, Jackson said in a statement. Republicans in Congress also issued sharp criticism of the protests.

The National Republican Congressional Committee also attacked the demonstrations. These Hate America Rallies are where the far-lefts most violent, deranged fantasies get a microphone, NRCC spokesperson Maureen OToole said. Protest organisers did not respond to those claims in the reported accounts. Protesters said their events reflected public anger across many communities.

No Kings rallies spread to Europe, Australia and Latin America

Demonstrations were planned in more than a dozen countries, Ezra Levin said. Levin is a co-executive director of Indivisible, which helped lead the effort. In countries with constitutional monarchies, people call the protests No Tyrants, he said. Organisers said rallies were planned across Europe, Latin America, and Australia.

In Rome, thousands marched and aimed chants at Premier Giorgia Meloni. The protest followed the failure of a referendum on Italys judiciary this week. Some participants also opposed Israeli and US attacks on Iran. Banners called for A world free from wars. In London, people held banners reading Stop the far right and Stand up to Racism.

In Paris, several hundred people gathered at the Bastille. Many were Americans living in France, alongside unions and rights groups. I protest all of Trumps illegal, immoral, reckless, and feckless, endless wars, rally organizer Ada Shen said. Organisers said the overseas actions mirrored the same themes seen at US rallies.

The rallies spanned large cities and small towns, with organisers citing participation beyond major urban centres. Protesters said their concerns covered foreign policy, immigration enforcement, and civil rights. Officials in the Trump administration and Republican groups rejected the rallies as political theatre. Organisers maintained that the turnout and spread showed sustained opposition on Saturday.

With inputs from PTI