On Saturday, large crowds in the US and Europe participated in ‘No Kings’ rallies to protest both the war in Iran and actions taken by President Donald Trump, with Minnesota emerging as a central gathering point that organisers said would draw millions. In St. Paul, thousands stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder on the Minnesota Capitol lawn and nearby streets, some displaying upside‑down US flags, traditionally used as a sign of distress.
Crowds of people protested Saturday against the war in Iran and President Donald Trump's actions, in "No Kings" rallies across the US and in Europe. Minnesota took center stage, in what organisers expected to be mass demonstrations involving millions of people. Thousands of people stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the Minnesota Capitol lawn and surrounding streets in St. Paul. Some held upside down US flags, historically a sign of distress.
Bruce Springsteen headlined the Minnesota rally, performing “Streets of Minneapolis”, a song he wrote in response to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. He dedicated the performance to Minnesotans who protested the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement over the winter. Before the song, Springsteen acknowledged the deaths but celebrated the protests’ resilience as a symbol of hope.
Protests stretched from New York City to Driggs, Idaho, drawing participants from both liberal strongholds and conservative areas. Two-thirds of RSVPs came from outside major cities, showing nationwide engagement. Similar rallies erupted globally, from Rome and London to Paris, where demonstrators condemned Trump, the war in Iran, and authoritarianism abroad.
In Washington, hundreds marched past the Lincoln Memorial, ringing bells and chanting “No kings,” while creative activists staged playful demonstrations mocking ICE. San Diego drew about 40,000 participants, and Minneapolis, designated the national flagship, anticipated 100,000 on the Capitol grounds. Signs declared: “We had whistles, they had guns. The revolution starts in Minneapolis.”
Across Europe, protesters rallied against war, authoritarianism, and racial injustice. In Rome, chants targeted Premier Giorgia Meloni; in London, demonstrators opposed the far right; and in Paris, Americans and locals united to denounce “illegal, immoral, reckless, and endless wars,” according to organizer Ada Shen.