I frequently say you don’t need to protest to make a difference in 2025. You don’t! There are a thousand other ways to push back on fascism if protesting doesn’t feel comfortable or safe for you!
But if you CAN go, #NoKings is really a key protest to participate in on 10/18.
Please consider showing up for it, friends.
If you’re concerned about safety…
This is not legal advice, just one person’s opinion, but in my experience, a No Kings rally is not the kind of action where people typically are getting arrested. These tend to be rallies/marches with local electeds and community groups that are among the safest kinds of protests to attend — generally pretty great for folks who are marching for the first time!
Whenever I’ve seen folks getting arrested for protesting in NYC, it’s at an action where certain people have PLANNED to block traffic or the entrance to a building or engage in some other kind of civil disobedience. I haven’t personally seen folks arrested at a typical march or rally like a No Kings event.
Of course, there’s no guarantee of perfect safety ever, particularly under Trump, and different people have different comfort levels and needs for higher levels of caution and opsec. For a great overview of both your rights and some safeguards you can use to protect your privacy (albeit with an emphasis on NYC law), check out this NYCLU page, Your Rights to Protesting in New York.
And no, you don’t have to RSVP with No Kings or any other organizing group if you don’t want to. You can just find a rally near you and go!
Also worth noting, if you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe at any rally or protest because of counter-protestors or police or anything else, feel free to just walk away. There’s zero shame. Leave as soon as it gets weird.
If you’re wondering about efficacy…
This No Kings rally genuinely feels IMPORTANT right now. This is a key time to push back and make a statement that normal people DO NOT SUPPORT the racism, bigotry, violence, and lawlessness of this authoritarian administration. A huge, peaceful turnout on 10/18 will send a huge message.
Sometimes folks say that No Kings-style events aren’t really protests; they’re rallies because many will have sound permits and approved routes, etc. That may be an accurate description — and it’s also fine, in my opinion! These particular events aren’t about civil disobedience; they’re about showing MASS DISAPPROVAL of Trump.
Civil disobedience is a critical tool. But not everyone is trained and ready for that kind of action. Organizing takes time, and mass rallies like No Kings are KEY if you want to eventually build to a general strike, for example. So no, these No Kings rallies will not bring overnight change by themselves. But this is movement building, step by step.
Also worth noting – 10/18 is gonna be FUN. Folks will have awesome signs. The vibes will be fantastic. There’ll probably be music! A parade! Thousands of like-minded people! I bet some inflatable frogs will show up!
Maybe most importantly, a bunch of progressive groups in your neighborhood will probably show up with their banners and flyers. And those are groups you can join, in your community, to help with other great, effective, and life-affirming ways to push back against fascism! In New York City, two great groups I’ll be joining at the Manhattan No Kings rally are Indivisible Brooklyn and the New York Working Families Party. Please do check ’em out if you’re local — they’re both great!
If nothing else, go for YOURSELF so you know YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
See you on Saturday!
