HALLOWEEN came early in more than 2,700 towns and cities in every state across the US on Saturday when millions rallied to protest against the Trump regime’s drift towards autocracy. But with many dressed in colourful and even whimsical costumes, No Kings day was more party than protest.
 
The frivolity came in response to the dire — and patently absurd — predictions by Republicans, including Trump toady Mike Johnson, the unpopular House Speaker, who had warned that the US’s streets would be awash in violent Hamas supporters, antifa extremists and Marxists. (If Johnson has ever read a word of Karl Marx I’ll happily eat this page.)
 
Instead, those streets were filled with exuberance and chants to reclaim them from at least seven million people across the country, almost a third more than had rallied for the first No Kings day protest in June. 
 
In Washington DC, where at least 200,000 protested, there were unicorns and dinosaurs, Uncle Sams and Aunt Tifas (poking fun at Trump’s attempt to outlaw anti-fascists), duchesses and drag queens. There were humourous signs and angry ones, lots of US flags and a few Palestinian and Ukrainian ones, veterans and union members, children in pushchairs and elders in wheelchairs, live bands, gay choruses and lots of merchandise.
 
In a time of genuine crisis and real fear that the Trump administration is plotting to install itself permanently, those rallying nevertheless consistently expressed feelings of joy. They had found themselves in one giant affinity group of hope.
 
Senator Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont who has twice run for US president, closed out the DC rally to some of the loudest applause.
 
“Mike Johnson, the US Speaker of the House, called these rallies ‘Hate America’ events,”  said Sanders, pausing for the prolonged booing at the mention of Johnson’s name. “Boy, does he have it wrong.”  
 
He then spoke for 26 minutes, delivering a history lesson beginning in 1776, praising those who fought in the eight-year war for independence against the British monarchy, “A king who had absolute power over their lives,”  he said. “They demanded freedom.”  
 
Calling the present time “this dangerous moment in American history,” Sanders assured the massive crowd before him that: “We will not move toward authoritarianism in America. We the people will rule.” 
 
Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat widely believed to be considering a presidential run at the next election, told the crowd: “The truth is that Donald Trump is the most corrupt president in the history of the United States of America,” perhaps stating the obvious. 

“The truth is that he is enacting a detailed step-by-step plan to try to destroy all of the things that protect our democracy — free speech, fair elections, an independent press, the right to peacefully protest,” Murphy continued. “Today all across America in numbers that may eclipse any protest in our nation’s history, Americans are saying loudly and proudly that we are a free people.” 
 
British political commentator and US citizen, Mehdi Hasan, founder of the news site Zeteo, introduced himself as a journalist, an immigrant and a Muslim. “I am the Trump trifecta,”  he said. “I’m also a bit of socialist, but shhh, don’t tell Stephen Miller, he alarms quite quickly,” Hasan added, referring to Trump’s sinister deputy chief of staff and Homeland Security adviser, the mastermind of Trump’s anti-immigrant policies who many have come to refer to as the American Joseph Goebbels (there is indeed an eerie physical resemblance).
 
Among other ominous statements, Miller appeared to incite violent retribution after the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk, calling for “righteous thunder of action.” He is also believed to be at the centre of efforts to initiate US land strikes on Venezuela, and has called the government of Nicolas Maduro “a drug cartel, a narco-trafficking organisation.” 
 
Hasan reminded the crowd of the beautiful diversity of his chosen country. “I wasn’t born here, I immigrated here,” he said. “And we immigrants love this country often more than the people who were born here, because we chose to move here.” 
 
Applauding in the crowd were two British women who had stumbled onto the rally entirely by accident, having planned a weekend of tourism in Washington DC, only to discover all the museums closed due to the ongoing government shutdown. “This is far better,”  they agreed.
 
After the rally, as thousands streamed back toward overcrowded metro stations and jam-packed trains, we encountered a large cluster of metropolitan police officers on the sidewalk. Had trouble erupted after all? A quick glance at the backdrop confirmed an old cliche. “Coffee and doughnuts” advertised the shop awning. “Thank you for being here,” said a passing marcher. “You’re welcome,” came the cordial reply.
 
A few tired Tyrannosauruses Against Tyrants tramped homeward, their costumes a little deflated but their mood high. On the crowded station platform, a middle-aged couple confided it was their first ever protest. “What took you so long?”  I asked. “Good question,” they replied with a regretful shake of the head.
 
Later we learned that almost everyone we know here had been at the rally and yet we had run into none of them, such was the size of the turnout. “A beautiful day with speakers representing immigrants, African-Americans, educators, LGBT+, government workers, unions, DC, science, youth, and more,” one friend reported. “Everyone I met today came away fired up and ready for more!” said another.

“Millions of people. One message: No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings,”  said the Women’s March in a statement, the group that had kicked off the huge anti-Trump demonstrations in 2018, the first time he was president. 

“Across the country, we rose to say: we will not bow to billionaires, authoritarians, or broken systems. This isn’t about restoring power; it’s about redistributing it. We’re building a future rooted in justice, dignity, and equality. The people are awake, organised, and unstoppable.” 
 
Linda Pentz Gunter is a writer based in Takoma Park, Maryland.