Large-scale "No Kings" demonstrations were held across the United States on Saturday, with events taking place in major cities, suburbs and rural communities.

Organizers said more than 3,100 protests were planned nationwide, spanning states from Alabama to Wyoming, with additional events reported in several European countries including Italy, France, Germany and Spain. The demonstrations were organized as part of a coordinated day of action addressing a range of domestic and international issues.

Crowds gathered in multiple locations throughout the day. In Philadelphia, aerial footage showed a large number of participants marching through the city, while events were also held across California, including Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco. In total, more than 300 demonstrations were scheduled in California alone, according to organizers.

The protests followed earlier rounds of "No Kings" demonstrations held in 2025, which organizers said drew millions of participants. Compared with previous events, this year's demonstrations included a higher proportion of participants from outside major urban centers. Organizers stated that nearly two-thirds of those who registered for events were from suburban or rural areas.

"I'm seeing people from the PTA or the neighborhood who would have never joined a protest in the past, who are now asking how they can get involved," Allison Posner, a resident of Maplewood, New Jersey, told The Associated Press.

According to organizers, a significant number of events were also held in Republican-leaning states and politically competitive regions. "Almost 50 percent of No Kings events are in either a red state or a battleground area for this year," said Eunic Epstein-Ortiz, a representative of the No Kings Coalition.

The coalition organizing the demonstrations includes advocacy groups such as Indivisible, MoveOn, the American Federation of Teachers, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Service Employees International Union. Organizers described the rallies as a "day of nonviolent action" and said participants were encouraged to engage peacefully.

The demonstrations took place against a backdrop of economic concerns and international developments. Organizers said issues such as rising fuel prices, the cost of living and the effects of the conflict involving Iran contributed to public participation.

In Minnesota, one of the largest gatherings was expected to take place at the state capitol in St Paul, where at least 100,000 participants were anticipated. The event followed earlier protests in the region linked to federal immigration enforcement operations.

"Our members will be turning out peacefully in the streets because they believe in a better future for this country, and they can't sit by on the sidelines about what Trump and his administration are doing to our home," said Katie Bethell, executive director of MoveOn.

Participants at various locations cited economic pressures and policy concerns as factors influencing their involvement. "Where's the money for people struggling to afford their rent, groceries, gas, or health care?" one organizer said.

The protests followed a period of demonstrations in several US cities related to immigration enforcement. In previous months, protests in Minnesota took place after federal operations in the region, during which clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement were reported. Authorities used measures such as tear gas and pepper spray during those incidents, according to media reports.

Organizers of the "No Kings" events stated that they had provided training on safety and de-escalation to participants and emphasized a commitment to nonviolent action.

"It is not just some abstract protest. It is a movement that has seen participation across racial and economic lines," civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton said at a news conference. "We may not all agree on some issues, but we all agree that if we do not protect the right to vote and protect democracy, it doesn't matter where we disagree, we will all be muted and ineffective."

US officials responded to the demonstrations with criticism. President Donald Trump previously described similar protests as "very small" and "very ineffective", while a White House spokesperson said the events primarily attracted media attention.

"The only people who care about these Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said.

Organizers, however, said participation levels reflected continued public engagement. "Each time we show up, we disrupt President Trump's attempts to rule through repression and remind the country, and the world, that people power is our path to a truly free America," the "No Kings" website states.

Agencies contributed to the story.