Across the United States, a defiant grassroots movement has taken shape in response to what organisers describe as an increasingly authoritarian presidency. The 'No Kings' protest, held on 14 June to coincide with both Flag Day and President Donald Trump's birthday, mobilised tens of thousands to rally against a $45 million military parade arranged in the president's honour. Though officially billed as a celebration of the US Army's founding, critics argue the spectacle was a thinly veiled tribute to Trump himself — and a troubling symbol of autocracy.
As detailed by NoKings.org, the mobilisation spanned all 50 US states and territories, with protests held in urban centres, rural communities, and neighbourhood parks alike. The organisers' rallying cry was simple but powerful: 'We the people are rising up and declaring that in America, we do not have a king.' Demonstrators came armed with clever placards, powerful chants and a fierce determination to remind the world who democracy truly serves.
A Protest Against Authoritarianism
The 'No Kings' movement seeks to challenge President Trump's alleged undermining of democratic norms, civil liberties and public institutions. As reported by MSNBC, critics accuse Trump of centralising power, targeting immigrants, silencing dissent, and staging political theatre to distract from increasingly autocratic behaviour.
Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, prominent voices in the movement, drew historic parallels to past authoritarian regimes and stressed the urgency of mass mobilisation. 'Trump's power doesn't just come from his title; it comes from the myth that he's untouchable,' they said. Rather than remain silent, citizens gathered in a 'parade of the people', replacing tanks with truth and repression with resistance.
‘No Kings’ protest locations: See where demonstrations are planned https://t.co/r0vQNXwdIA
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 14, 2025
The Funniest and Fiercest Signs on Display
While the 'No Kings' protest has inspired new waves of creativity, organisers and supporters are also encouraging the revival of iconic slogans from previous anti-Trump demonstrations. These signs — often humorous, razor-sharp, and deeply political — captured global attention at earlier rallies and may be reused as inspiration for today's events. Here are some suggested slogans compiled by Wilding Out:
- 'Trump Should've Been a One-Term Chump'
- 'Happy Final Birthday, Trump!'
- 'ICE is Best When It's Crushed'
- 'The Lying King — The Circle of Deceit'
- 'Barron Trump Is an Anchor Baby'
- 'Can't Afford Bread? Guess I'll Eat the Rich'
- 'No Kings — Yass Queens'
- 'Trump Has Small-Dicktator Energy'
- 'Impeach. Remove. Repeat.'
- 'Crown Him... With Charges'
- '79 and Still Throwing a Tantrump'
- 'The Only Minority Destroying America Is the Billionaires'
- 'Idolising Billionaires Is Like Thinking the Stripper Really Likes You'
- 'Elect a Clown, Get a Circus'
- 'The Pilgrims Had No Papers Either'
- 'Fascists Can Oligargle These Nuts'
- 'No Faux-king Way'
- 'The Lying King Needs a Sequel — Behind Bars'
- 'Orange You Glad He's Almost Gone?'
- 'Make America Laugh Again'
- 'Trump: Now With 20% Less Democracy'
- 'King Me? No Thanks — This Ain't Checkers'
As the 'No Kings' movement continues to gain traction, organisers hope the energy seen on 14 June will serve as a catalyst for sustained civic engagement and political resistance. By reclaiming public spaces with humour, history and hard-hitting messages, demonstrators have sent a clear signal: democracy in America is not a stage-managed parade — it is a living, breathing force powered by the people.
