Story updated on Sept. 23, 2025.
The “No Kings” rallies across the nation attracted millions of protesters, with more than 10,000 demonstrators participating in Dallas alone, according to The Associated Press. While no two participants looked alike, they were all united under one cause: to say “no” to a dictatorial regime.
Since the march in June, the federal government has further backpedaled in terms of this country’s programs and ideals, cutting staff and funding for everything from Medicaid to national parks and threatening to repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
According to AP, President Donald Trump ordered the removal of references to slavery found in some national parks, such as “The Scourged Back,” a photo of a Black man with a heavily scared back from whippings on view at Fort Pulaski National Monument in Georgia. A second nationwide “No Kings” rally is slated for Oct. 18.
The first “No Kings” rallies coincided with a military parade in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and President Trump’s 79th birthday. The military parade was estimated to cost taxpayers at least $25 million and featured soldiers and military equipment, including tanks and other militarized vehicles. Part of the estimated budget accounted for Washington D.C. road repairs, as modern roads are apparently unable to handle the weight of military vehicles.
In Dallas, people of all different races, religions, ages and nationalities took part. As they marched through downtown, many of these demonstrators held signs calling for a range of things- from Trump’s impeachment to defunding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to freedom for Palestine. The diversity of the crowd reflected the makeup of the United States and reminded those attending about the values this country has represented for 249 years: being the “melting pot” of the world.
A group of older women sitting on benches were holding “No Kings” signs. They may not have been able to stand for long or participate in the march, but they came out to make their opinions known. Children ran around holding homemade signs. Veterans discussed their experience in the service. Immigrants talked about the struggles they endured – not just to get into the country, but to start a new life here. These are the American people.
Protesters have been labeled by some as haters of this country. The truth is, it’s the exact opposite. People protest because they love this country, and they love the people in it. They recognize the hard work and effort it took to build this nation into the superpower that it is today, and they don’t want to see America’s founding ideals thrown away.
On a personal note, my parents both served and met in the U.S. Army. After retiring from the service, my mother became a high school government teacher. My father grew up working on a farm in rural Illinois. I’m as All-American as they come. But so is the Dreamer. So is the immigrant who risked everything to come to this country in hopes of giving themselves and their family a better life.
The United States of America was founded by immigrants, people who left their old lives behind for the hopes that this country promised. That is what being American is about. It’s about pursuing a dream and being willing to do everything to achieve it. It’s about working hard to reach the goals of those who came before – those who could not reach their achievements because they didn’t have the opportunity. It’s about the underdogs and the spirit of those who refused to be quiet when met with opposition because they knew what they were standing up for was right.
People demonstrate because they know how hard people fought to make this nation what it is today. They refuse to let one person, or a team of people, tear down the achievements so many others sacrificed for. In the same way, we must also refuse to chastise people who have made big sacrifices to be part of this country.
The United States of America heralds itself as the “melting pot” of the world. Now, those in office are trying to erase the diversity that made this country so powerful and special to begin with – a place where people of all backgrounds can feel that they belong. The United States is a place where it doesn’t matter where you came from, only where you are going. It’s a chance to begin again. And the American people are not letting that go without a fight.
