# October 18, 2025 "No Kings" Protests **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 15, 2025, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993 "2025-10-15T14:10:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/181 "2025-10-19T02:04:52Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > My niece says she thinks that only violent revolution will move anything. > > I think she’s wrong–but I also think that properly permitted protests don’t disrupt the systems of injustice, and that until we are willing to step up to disruption, not much will happen. Before that can happen, like-minded people need to know they are not only not alone, but are members of a group that is growing larger. These protests accomplish what IMHO is a necessary step. Would you agree that even a violent revolution can’t happen until the revolutionaries find out there are other revolutionaries besides themselves. Introducing millions of protesters to each other is not a waste of time _at this point._ > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Nonviolent civil disobedience seems to me to be the next reasonable step; but it needs to be coordinated and needs to have clear objectives, and these objectives need to be in line with American norms. I agree with this. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/182 "2025-10-19T02:06:32Z")
Just saw this sign on one of my Facebook feeds: I Pray that Big Beautiful Bill Will be the name of Trump’s cellmate ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/183 "2025-10-19T02:15:57Z")
Many of them also like the idea of being in an unhappy marriage with someone who cannot leave them. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/184 "2025-10-19T02:19:30Z")
Thats why they are trying to destroy things like alimony, women’s education, welfare, etc. They feel if women are financially dependent, they can’t leave a relationship. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/185 "2025-10-19T02:24:56Z")
I noticed the same thing in the footage I saw from the one in my town. I can understand why many nonwhites would be hesitant to attend. One other thing. Later in the day, I dropped my ballot into the mailbox for a local election we’re having next month. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/186 "2025-10-19T02:27:51Z")
I saw a photo from Occupy Democrats earlier, that I thought was an appropriate response to someone’s post. Unfortunately, I could not find it when needed. I just found it again now. A sign at a rally says, ‘Imagine losing our country to a fat b\_\_\_h that can’t even blend his makeup.’ ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/187 "2025-10-19T02:30:54Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Before that can happen, like-minded people need to know they are not only not alone, but are members of a group that is growing larger. These protests accomplish what IMHO is a necessary step. > > Would you agree that even a violent revolution can’t happen until the revolutionaries find out there are other revolutionaries besides themselves. > > Introducing millions of protesters to each other is not a waste of time _at this point._ Agreed–but I feel too often that there’s no _next step_, no _escalation_, of any import. If it’s an introduction that doesn’t lead to escalation, it serves no meaningful purpose. I’m ready to be talking about next steps. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/188 "2025-10-19T02:34:54Z")
This just floated onto my YouTube Playlist. It seems very appropriate for the day. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/dkcdSj4qBWU/maxresdefault.jpg "Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson - There Must Be More to Life Than This Golden Duet") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkcdSj4qBWU) ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/189 "2025-10-19T02:40:08Z")
Great turnout on south Orange County, CA. It’s gratifying to talk to folks who’ve lived here a long time, and hear their amazement at how the area’s demographic is changing and getting bluer. Great feedback from passing cars; I only saw one person flip us the bird, though I’m sure there were others. Lots of peeps in bear suits (do not poke the bear!), a few unicorns, chickens, an Elvis, and a lobster. Did /will it move the needle? Who knows, but it was good for my spirit to see proof that there are so many others who still have hope and refuse to give up. I wish some of the more pessimistic here would attend one. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/190 "2025-10-19T03:01:32Z")
Reminds me of the classic “Grow a brain, morans”. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/191 "2025-10-19T03:19:55Z")
Attended Mineola Long Island NY edition. I’m really not much for rallies and marches… I want to have more political voice than chanting the equivalent of “four legs good! two legs bad!”… but I felt it was essential to show up and add to the crowd-size, and it’s not like I have a better option for speaking my perspective and being heard. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/192 "2025-10-19T06:47:18Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Anyone still wondering if these demonstrations are a waste of time? I think as far as direct impact on Trump goes, yes they are. Trump is like that thing about how there used to be “I hate Elvis” pins sold right next to the “I love Elvis” pins. There is a crowd out there screaming his name. It doesn’t really matter to him if every instance of his name is preceded by “fuck”. He just cares about having the biggest crowds and he’ll straight up lie and claim that these crowds were supporters. But never in the history of ever will he be convinced that he is a bad President and he should resign. He’s not capable of processing that idea, not even if every person in the land was protesting. Having said that, I think the protests are great for establishing that yes indeed, there is a certain number of people out there who fully understand that this guy sucks and needs to go. It’s not a critical mass yet but it’s getting there. ---
**Author:** ![Happytree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happytree/32/3555_2.png) [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/193 "2025-10-19T06:57:48Z")
Us libs have to be the polite, tactful ones, i get that, and we dont blast our opinions in mixed company, like THEM! But we gotta cut that shit out. Mrs. Trees and I are some straight knee-slappin’ hillbillies. We’ve always tried to be tactful around these folks, we’re outnumbered, we know. My hometown friends all voted for Trump. We went to a hillbilly pary tonight, and we decided to lay down the gauntlet. We told our lifelong friends that we can’t be friends anymore if they’re gonna be fascist. My hillbilly friends agreed! They were waiting for someone else to chime in! We just have to be loudmouth, drunk uncle, assholes about our opinions right now! THAT’S what these people respect. Didn’t say it make sense ---
**Author:** ![Happytree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happytree/32/3555_2.png) [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/194 "2025-10-19T06:58:58Z")
No kings in Pittsburgh was chill. I felt better having gone. Gonna offer rides to bus people next time. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/195 "2025-10-19T07:32:58Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > We need to be looking to British-occupied India for ideas. Conditions are too different for many parallels to work. This isn’t a foreign occupation, nor is it one race against another (plenty of white folks on both sides, for one thing). There’s no charismatic leader like Gandhi to unite the masses and to coordinate actions. The population of India wasn’t almost evenly split on whether India should be independent and the Brits should leave. The most important thing is not to be silent. These demonstrations are a powerful way of speaking out. Of course they are not going to make him resign, I can think of no actions barring a civil war that would have anything like that effect. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/196 "2025-10-19T07:33:40Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Ferndale is a truly great town. It reminded me of my days as a student in Ann Arbor… You know, just being with my people. People who love art and culture and diversity and kindness. I have friends who live in Ferndale, you’re right, it has a lot of Ann Arbor vibes to it. Also definitely a haven for the LGBTQ+ folks. One of my friends once referred to themselves as “the token straight couple on the block”. The husband was also at the No Kings. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/197 "2025-10-19T07:49:21Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > > [@N9IWP](#): > > > > in NYC there were ~100k and ZERO protest related arrests according to NBC news > > That is spectacular. I’m sure Trump and MAGA are vastly disappointed - it’s like they can’t conceive of large numbers of people gathering without violence or coercion. I wonder how they’ll try to spin it? > [@DSeid](#): > > After my local one went to the one in front of the ICE detention facility in Broadview, a suburb near west of Chicago. Not quite the same feel as our local one. > > Big show of state police yielding batons and masks to try to intimidate the not huge crowd. No reason for it at all. Of course there was a reason - intimidation. And fear - not on your part. On the part of ICE who know they are deeply, deeply unpopular in Chicago. The Trump regimen runs on fear. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > > Anyone still wondering if these demonstrations are a waste of time? > > I am. > > My niece says she thinks that only violent revolution will move anything. > > I think she’s wrong–but I also think that properly permitted protests don’t disrupt the systems of injustice, and that until we are willing to step up to disruption, not much will happen. I once said “it’s not much of a protest if it doesn’t inconvenience someone” or something to that effect on this forum when the conservatives were pearl-clutching over people kneeling during the national anthem. I still tend to thnk that way. However - morale building exercises are also important. The fascists want their opposition to feel isolated and alone, to feel as if they are the only ones out of step. Mass gatherings like No Kings II counter that. It also counters the argument that there is only violence on the left - nope, the left can be pretty darn peaceful. As for the discomfort - Trump’s own policies and mal-administration are providing plenty of that. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/198 "2025-10-19T08:17:43Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’m sure Trump and MAGA are vastly disappointed - it’s like they can’t conceive of large numbers of people gathering without violence or coercion. I wonder how they’ll try to spin it? I’ll offer a few selected samples from a predominantly right-wing message board that I occasionally look in on. The thread is titled, “Today’s ‘No Kings’ Protest was a Massive Success,” though I think the OP was being sarcastic: > [@](#): > > The best estimates are that about 5 million people participated. That’s barely more than 6% of the people who voted for Harris in 2024. … > [@](#): > > But the Democrat Leadership has a king .. . King Soros. > [@](#): > > I don’t see how this helps the Democrats at all. To the normal people, they just see them as unhinged. Having a bunch of boomers and blue haired feminists isn’t exactly going to appeal to the moderates and undecided voters. Is anybody going to be attracted to the Democratic party based on these protests? I think not. > [@](#): > > [The protests are] to make [the protesters] feel good about themselves. That’s what it always was and that’s what it always will be. It’s therapy for people who don’t have much else going on. > [@](#): > > You mean they managed to actually fool some normal people somewhere, into believing Trump was trying to be a king even when he wasn’t, and they couldn’t find any proof that he was? > > Or did they merely fool each other into believing Trump was trying to be a king? That bar is set a lot lower… pretty easy. > [@](#): > > I’m glad they were finally peaceful; it only took 10 years for that to happen. What is petty is willfully ignoring the massive amount of violence the left had committed over the past 10 years, and thinking one peaceful protest makes up for it. > [@](#): > > Blocking roads, blocking highways. What a road to success idiots. Let’s make your life more difficult will SURELY gain their support. These people need a free helmet so they won’t hurt themselves. _That’s_ how they’ll spin it: “A bunch of kooks protesting against something America doesn’t have anyway.” ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/199 "2025-10-19T11:57:12Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Agreed–but I feel **too often** that there’s no _next step_, no _escalation_, of any import. If it’s an introduction that doesn’t lead to escalation, it serves no meaningful purpose. My bold. _“Too often”_?? When, precisely, has our country been in these exact circumstances after the 1770s? Even during the Civil Rights and Vietnam protests, _there were still some grownups in government on the opposition side._ This is our **PRESIDENT** now: > [@The Trump Administration: The Clusterfuck Continues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues/1010068/8881): > > Trump posts AI video of airplane dropping diarrhea on protesters. > > [@atrupar.com on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3m3jbffj3q22w) We are in a different ball game today. We are feeling our way and making this up as we go along. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Nonviolent civil disobedience seems to me to be the next reasonable step; but it needs to be coordinated and needs to have clear objectives, and these objectives need to be in line with American norms. Definitely, but > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Conditions are too different for many parallels to work. This isn’t a foreign occupation, nor is it one race against another (plenty of white folks on both sides, for one thing). **There’s no charismatic leader like Gandhi** to unite the masses and to coordinate actions. The population of India wasn’t almost evenly split on whether India should be independent and the Brits should leave. > > The most important thing is not to be silent. These demonstrations are a powerful way of speaking out. Of course they are not going to make him resign, I can think of no actions barring a civil war that would have anything like that effect. My bold. Maybe not THE next step, but **A** next step is for leadership to emerge. A charismatic leader would be great, but the movement needs inspired, focused leadership to grow in numbers and take part in nonviolent activities-- like these protests but **MORE** – that will have impact on society. There is momentum now and it will need to be directed. I believe that will happen… The sooner, the better. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993/200 "2025-10-19T12:07:38Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > saw a photo from Occupy Democrats earlier, that I thought was an appropriate response to someone’s post. Unfortunately, I could not find it when needed. I just found it again now. A sign at a rally says, ‘Imagine losing our country to a fat b\_\_\_h that can’t even blend his makeup.’ The problem really, really isn’t what he looks like. And joining him in fat shaming doesn’t strike me as a good look. Of course Trump’s not going to resign. I don’t think anybody’s expecting him to. And of course right-wing sites are mocking the protests. They’ve become too large to ignore. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-18-2025-no-kings-protests/1023993.md?page=11)