Protesters across the United States took to the streets on Saturday in a sweeping show of dissent, demanding the protection of American democracy amid concerns over what many view as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian leadership style.

Demonstrations unfolded in cities large and small from Philadelphia and Chicago to Houston and Atlanta just hours ahead of Trump’s scheduled military parade in Washington.

Branded the “No Kings” protests, the coordinated events spanned all 50 states and were driven by opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration policies, increased military presence at home, federal budget cuts, and the symbolism of the parade itself, which coincided with the president’s 79th birthday.

Many participants carried American flags, cited the U.S. Constitution, and echoed the values of the founding fathers as they rallied in public squares, parks, and city streets.

In Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver stood defiantly before a statue of Abraham Lincoln, telling a crowd gathered outside the county courthouse that she would not be intimidated.

Facing federal charges stemming from a confrontation at a migrant detention center, the Democrat called on Americans to stand firm in defense of democracy. “We have to be on the front lines,” she declared.

Her call to action came as troubling news broke from Minnesota: a person posing as a police officer had assassinated a Democratic state lawmaker and attempted to kill another.

State authorities urged residents to avoid attending local “No Kings” rallies after materials linked to the protests were discovered in the suspect’s vehicle. The attacker remained at large.

The nationwide demonstrations followed rising outrage over recent immigration raids by ICE agents in Los Angeles, which sparked mass protests and confrontations with law enforcement.

With tensions escalating, officials there warned Saturday’s turnout could be unprecedented as the city remained the center of immigration-related unrest.

Roughly 2,000 protests were held across all 50 states.

In Atlanta, thousands filled Liberty Plaza, waving signs that read “Stop Trump’s Terrorism” and singing a modified version of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” with the lyrics, “Take Trump out of the White House.”

Even in traditionally conservative towns like Greenville, Ohio, protesters gathered in defiance, despite warnings from police about potential arrests for blocking roadways.

Officials and protest organizers nationwide urged restraint and peaceful assembly. In Houston, demonstrators emphasized unity by handing flowers to officers along the march route, reinforcing the call for nonviolent resistance at the heart of the “No Kings” movement.

In the lead-up to the immigration raids in Los Angeles, both the Trump administration and immigrant rights advocates had been bracing for a showdown.

Tensions reached a breaking point when warnings began circulating across immigrant communities. One father’s urgent message captured the fear gripping many: “ICE is here. They’re going to take us.”

Organizers of the “No Kings” protests deliberately steered clear of planning demonstrations in Washington, D.C., where President Trump’s military parade was scheduled to proceed despite warnings of severe weather.

The decision came amid heightened tensions after Trump issued a stern warning that any protesters disrupting the event would face “very big force.”

Marcos Leao, a 27-year-old Army veteran, was briefly detained by U.S. Marines outside a federal building in Los Angeles a rare and striking move, as it is uncommon for federal troops to take custody of American civilians, even for a short time.

The House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into the Los Angeles protests, focusing in part on communications between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

In response, Newsom indicated that the records would reveal “some highly unusual communications from the White House,” hinting at possible federal involvement or pressure behind the scenes.