There’s a 3.5 per cent rule, proposed by political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan, that suggests all nonviolent movements that had the support of at least that percentage of the population always succeeded in triggering change. It’s an idea that should bring comfort to the millions of people who participated in the No Kings protests against President Donald Trump’s administration across the US (and even Europe and Australia) on Saturday, October 28. 

Taking place during a particular tumultuous moment in American politics, as a government shutdown dragged into its third week, some estimate that the second No Kings march was among the biggest single-day protests in US history, with organisers estimating that more than seven million people protested peacefully across all 50 states (along with other countries). Pedro Pascal even popped up at the protest in Los Angeles. The movement sends a clear message against what political scientists have warned is becoming a swift shift toward authoritarianism. 

In New York, No Kings protesters met in Father Duffy Square, where young and old New Yorkers marched downtown together, carrying signs that read “Impeach” and “Authoritarianism is un-American,” along with plenty of monarch and ICE-related puns. It was the best of Times Square chaos – everyone was cheerily singing, wearing American flag-themed outfits and DIY Burger King or Statue of Liberty crowns.

This weekend followed the first No Kings demonstration in June, when an estimated five million people protested nationwide. While that’s not quite at that 3.5 per cent yet, the energy in the air on Saturday was that there is power in numbers – and that the numbers are growing. 

Ahead, we asked New York’s No Kings Day protesters one question: What’s your message to Trump and his administration?

EVELYN, 28

“My message to Trump is we’re not going to quit. Honestly, we’re gonna fight for our rights. You will not silence us. We’re going to do everything we can to stay strong. I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but we’re not scared.”

ANON, 21

“I know a change is going to come. I’m just sick of the nonsense; it needs to stop. The amount of people today feels hopeful. There were hella people outside. We’ve been here for a long time, and so many people were walking through, it was awesome.”

ANON, 18 AND 16

“Fuck Donald Trump.”

ANON, 21

“I just completely disagree with everything that his administration has been doing since Trump took office. It’s just ironic how he said that Project 2025 is not something he wanted to associate with during the debates and everything leading up to the election, but everything that he’s done since he’s taken office has been has been contributing towards that very plan: deploying the National Guard, everything going on with ICE and all of his executive orders and unconstitutional actions. The Supreme Court seems to be completely behind all of his actions, which makes it a very scary time to live in. I feel like all of our rights are being threatened every day.”

MAX, 20

“The issue for me is the kids. I work a lot with kids, and seeing them being taken from their families and going to court, that isn’t how we raise kids. This is not how you raise a society. I need people to understand that kids are the most important thing. Seeing all these kids out here today at the No Kings protest screaming into the megaphone, holding signs, I like it. It’s great to see them out here, so let’s keep them out of court and let them learn their ABCs because everyone needs education.”