Hollywood, music, and politics on the same protest schedule
Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez and a long list of other public figures turned out for the third wave of No Kings protests on Saturday, as roughly 3,000 marches were planned across the country. Apparently, even a normal weekend now needs a national coordination effort.
The demonstrations built on the previous two No Kings events, which drew millions and became some of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history. This latest round kept the same basic mix of grievances: anger over aggressive ICE tactics, concern about Donald Trump’s treatment of constitutional norms, and frustration over the cost of living, including prices tied in part to the recent war against Iran.
De Niro opens the New York march
In New York, De Niro was among the figures leading the procession, joined by Rev. Al Sharpton and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
During his remarks, the Heat actor described the gatherings as a “great rallying cry, and hugely successful as millions of us have answered the call.” He then delivered a blunt run-through of the protest’s themes.
“It’s time to say no to kings,” he said. “It’s time to say no to Donald Trump. We’ve had enough. No King Trump, no unnecessary wars that rob our resources, sacrifice our brave servicemen and women and slaughter innocents. No corrupt leader enriching himself and the Epstein class buddies. No taking away healthcare from our most vulnerable neighbors, no unaffordable groceries, no unaffordable energy, no unaffordable housing and no inflation at its highest level since COVID. No government masked thugs shooting down our neighbors in the streets. Trump has to be stopped. He can’t do all the fucked up things he’s been doing without the collusion of Congress and the goons in his administration.”
Fonda’s event in Washington drew performers and speakers
In Washington, D.C., Baez and singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers performed outside the Kennedy Center for the Artists United for Our Freedom event, which was hosted by Fonda’s Committee for the First Amendment.
Billy Porter and poet Rupi Kaur also took the stage to speak.
Fonda had spent the day before doing a media push to promote the rallies, appearing on The Briefing With Jen Psaki and The Source with Kaitlan Collins. The protests also spread to cities including San Diego, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Boston, with another demonstration held in London.
All three women, Fonda, Baez and Rogers, also appeared at a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Springsteen joins a major rally in St. Paul
In St. Paul, Minnesota, Springsteen appeared at one of the country’s largest gatherings alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Ilhan Omar and Gov. Tim Walz. He performed “Streets of Minneapolis,” the song he introduced after the ICE killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
“This past winter, federal troops brought death and terror to the streets of Minneapolis,” Springsteen said. “Well, they picked the wrong city. The power and the solidarity of the people of Minneapolis, Minnesota was an inspiration to the entire country. Your strength and commitment told us that this is still America, and this reactionary nightmare and these invasions of American cities will not stand.”
Fonda also appeared at the St. Paul rally and read a statement from Becca Good, the wife of Renee Good.
“The world now knows that my wife sparkled with sunshine and shone with kindness that is unmatched,” the statement said. “We were robbed of an incredible human. It has made people pause, and take a breath, and have to choose sides. We choose the side of love.”
More familiar faces kept showing up
Other figures, including Bill Nye and M*A*S*H actor Mike Farrell, spoke at their own marches around the country.
On Instagram Threads, Jimmy Kimmel and Jamie Lee Curtis also posted about attending.
So the third No Kings wave managed to combine protest politics, celebrity turnout and a very long list of grievances into one sprawling national event. In other words, a Saturday with a message.
