Acts of protest aren’t just defiance; they are the way citizens voice their honest beliefs and secure a future with America’s promised liberty. On June 14 and Oct 18, 2025, more than 7 million people of all ages, races, economic statuses and backgrounds enthusiastically and peacefully protested against the Trump administration’s recent policies in hundreds of U.S. cities. Specifically, according to the No Kings website, participants demand change due to “abuses of power.” They argue against American President Donald J. Trump’s self-enrichment and lack of accountability with his policies, which include immigration detentions, a new budget for the Department of Education, environmental protections, gerrymandering and other attacks on civil society. They also believe that congress and the judiciary branch fail to check and balance the Constitution, creating more of an authoritarian monarchy than a democracy.
The Protests set a record for single-day U.S. protest. According to the Center for American Progress, when 3.5% of a nation’s population engages in protests at a key moment, it is very difficult to ignore calls for change. Addison C. ’27 said, “The Trump administration has created a big divide in U.S. politics… there is a large group of people which aren’t even necessarily all Republicans. No matter what he does, they still follow him.” For a more concise overview of the No Kings protests spanning across the country, visit this site.
Protestors can share their voices and beliefs by participating in the No Kings protests. Addison said, “I believe that it is important for everyone to speak their opinions and stand for what they believe in. Any voice, no matter how big or small, is valued to spread awareness.” Similarly, Coco A. ’27 said, “It’s always important to do something because when you are a bystander or a complacent to what is going on alongside, you are essentially like standing with them, right?
Silence is the same thing as doing nothing is the same thing as supporting, right? And so I think while I am young, I technically can’t vote. This is the only way that I feel like I can make a difference in that sense. So I think I went to the protest with my family just to really advocate for change.” She believes that, instead of staying silent, she can make a change by protesting to advocate for others.
Due to tension in politics, students at ‘Iolani are actively participating in order to voice their opinions. Addison has had a history of advocating for various rights, not just in the No Kings protests. Through YouTube longforms, news and even ‘Iolani teachers such as Dr. Amanda Christie, who teaches Race and Social Justice, Addison became aware of various movements, such as Black Lives Matter. Describing her views as moral, Addison said, “This isn’t about politics, it’s about humanity… I believe the issues our country is facing right now aren’t political disagreements, but threats to our freedom and equality as a whole. I don’t think the messages the No Kings protests stand for should be exclusive to one side or the other.” During the No Kings protest, Addison carried a sign that said, “Defend democracy. No kings, no Nazis. Fascism is not patriotism.” She defined the protests as a way for the American people to unite against any potentially dangerous leaders and policies. She said,“democracies are ruled by the people and not dictators or elites. I think that true patriotism is defending the principles our country was built on: defending free speech, civil rights and the Constitution. Democracy is real patriotism; wholehearted support of a government that has increasingly more fascist tendencies is not.”
Despite the protest’s relatively peaceful and non-violent outcome, some of the Trump administration representatives and republicans have claimed the protests are an anti-American, hate America rally, according to NPR. Connecticut House Leader Vincent Candelora, speaking on behalf of some members of the Republican party, commented that while he doesn’t share the concerns that protestors have, he supports them exercising the First Amendment of free speech. Vincent also claims that protests are divisive and cause disagreement among the people. Candelora said, “I think our democracy is still strong as ever — but, you know, they’re free to express themselves.”
The use of protests predates the history of America, originating from when British colonists declared independence from King George III. Throughout America’s history, protests and debates have been vital for both government and citizens in order to build a democracy; famous examples range from rejections of new taxes and labor strikes to more modern events such as the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. Mrs. Lauren Morimoto, who teaches U.S. History, covers protests as early as those against King George III, American presidents such as Andrew Jackson (who was often referred to as “King Jackson”) and the Civil Rights movement. The title King grew as an insult in America; protesters aimed “King” at their leaders for policies that they felt were tyrannical, such as George’s taxes and Jackson’s controversial bank war.
By drawing historical parallels, Americans can better understand current events happening today, such as the No Kings Protests. Mrs. Morimoto said, “If you look simply at the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, protest was a tool. One of the tools that allowed for major change and the swaying of public opinion. So I think protest is essential, essential enough that they included it in the First Amendment as something that was protected.” When Addison attended, she witnessed a 90-year-old man participating in the No Kings protest, highlighting a sense of unity despite the age gap. She said, “They were talking about how they lived through a lot of political uprisings, and as a country, we were able to get over that at some point, after the civil rights movement. But now they don’t want to see what they’ve built fall down again.”
Mrs. Morimoto, who plans to offer a civics course to students in the future, said, “I’ve always been interested in the political process… so I think it started very early on for me. I also love history and kind of how history is a longer story that connects the past to the present… I love watching students find their own voice and their own perspective.” America was formed on the foundation of democracy, and over the centuries, vocal citizens have always been able to project their views on the problems that the US Government faces. As Coco said, “It’s scary when you think it’s just you. But when everyone does it together, when the voice is solid, when there’s unity within what people want, you can see that change can happen.”
