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Thousands of 'No Kings' protesters in NYC take to rainy streets
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jun 14, 2025
Modified Jun 17, 2025
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Brittany Kriegstein/Gothamist
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jun 14, 2025
Modified Jun 17, 2025
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Thousands of demonstrators took to New York City's rainy streets on Saturday to protest against the Trump administration's policies.
Saturday's protest comes after marches that took place in the city earlier this week, which focused on issues such as immigration, civil rights, housing and health care. Many demonstrators say they fear a potential rise in authoritarianism.
“I’m a New York City teacher and I want my kids to have the right to vote in four years and I’m afraid they’ll never ever see that,” said English and humanities teacher Margaret Caban, who was among the Manhattan marchers Saturday.
Demonstrators at Manhattan's No Kings rally Saturday, June 14.
Brittany Kriegstein/Gothamist
Crowds of demonstrators packed Fifth Avenue despite the wet weather. Marchers gathered around Bryant Park just after 1 p.m. Within an hour, they headed downtown in an orderly march, as police in tactical gear lined the sidewalks.
Saturday's action is part of “No Kings” protests being organized in hundreds of cities nationwide that coincide with a military parade organized by the Trump administration in Washington, D.C. The parade marks the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Saturday is also President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
Caban said her students are increasingly concerned about the country they're inheriting.
“We read books like '1984,' we read 'Fahrenheit 451.' I tell them to look for patterns,” Caban said, referring to the two dystopian novels set under autocratic regimes. “They’re afraid.”
"It's nice to see people out here and protesting what I view as a very, very real threat to our nation, unlike anything we have ever seen," said Cynthia Bittenfield, who came from the Upper West Side to take part in the demonstration.
Henry Carpio was among a construction crew filling in cement by 31st Street and Fifth Avenue, on the march's path. He expressed support for the march's pro-immigrant message, and condemned Trump's policies.
"It's bad," Carpio, an Ecuadorian immigrant, said in Spanish. "Because immigrants help the country progress. If they throw us out, how will the country progress?"
About 2,000 ‘No Kings’ protests are planned to take place across the country, including in large cities like Los Angeles and Chicago and in small, rural towns.
Protests in Minneapolis were shut down after shootings targeted two local Democratic lawmakers and their spouses Saturday morning. The shootings killed a state representative and her husband, which Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said was an assassination. A state senator and his wife were also wounded by the same gunman in another politically-motivated attack, according to Walz.
The main event concluded around 5 p.m., after protesters reached 26th Street. Most dispersed, but a crowd of several hundred demonstrators lingered near Madison Square Park. Police reopened Fifth Avenue to traffic soon afterward.
The protests were largely peaceful, with just three arrests, according to police. No information was yet available on Saturday evening about the charges or where exactly the arrests took place.
Correction: This story was updated to clarify who was killed in Saturday's politically motivated shootings in Minneapolis. A state representative and her husband were assassinated.
An assortment of protest signs left behind near Madison Square Park after Saturday's "No Kings" demonstration.
Brittany Kriegstein/Gothamist
Samir Ferdowsi and Ben Feuerherd contributed reporting.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Tagged
Politics
new york city
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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