A major anti-Trump protest kicked off in New York City today, marking the first of more than 2,500 events planned across the United States on Saturday.
Thousands of demonstrators filled Times Square, participating in the event organized by No Kings, a coalition of left-leaning groups.
Supporters of Trump criticized the protests, accusing participants of aligning with the far-left movement Antifa and denouncing the gatherings as a “rally of hatred against America.”
Several Republican governors have placed National Guard troops on alert, although the visibility of military presence remains unclear.
The protests are expected to continue nationwide throughout the day. In Washington D.C., Senator Bernie Sanders is scheduled to be a keynote speaker, with events starting around midday local time.
Organizers emphasized that the rallies aim to challenge Trump’s “authoritarianism”, stating:
“The President believes his rule is absolute. But in America, we have no kings, and we will not back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
Demonstrations in Europe, including Berlin, Madrid, and Rome, have also been held to show solidarity with U.S. protesters.
