Millions of protestors gathered nationwide in the US under the banner of “No Kings” to voice their opposition to the Trump administration’s policies. Organized by various groups, these demonstrations unfolded amidst a backdrop of political tensions, including the tragic shooting of Minnesota lawmakers and the deployment of military forces to quell protests in Los Angeles. The Guardian interviewed several protestors at different locations to capture the essence of the mass mobilization.

In Philadelphia, Victor, a 56-year-old chef from Argentina, highlighted the importance of immigrants’ contributions and criticized the administration’s display of power through military parades. Major, a 71-year-old Vietnam veteran, and Rusty expressed concerns over Trump’s actions undermining constitutional values and the sacrifices made by past generations. Meanwhile, Matt Dunphy, a 45-year-old e-commerce worker, denounced the abuse of power by government agencies and called for elected officials to oppose the current presidency.

In St Paul, Perry McGowan, an accountant, emphasized the need to combat all forms of violence and promote civility in society. Kristin Cheronis, an art conservationist, mourned the loss of public servants like Melissa Hortman and condemned the divisive nature of recent events.

In Los Angeles, Laura Gustafson, a mental health therapist, reclaimed patriotism symbolized by the American flag from partisan narratives. High school student Leila Sanchez highlighted her dual identity as Mexican-American through her flag display.

Lastly, in Washington DC, Joan Miles and Beth Urie, both from Vermont, and Chris Yeazel, an Iraq veteran, voiced their opposition to what they perceived as authoritarianism and emphasized the importance of protesting in the nation’s capital.