Americans march against Trump in 'No Kings' protests

Organisers say demonstrations in over 2,600 cities and towns drew nearly 7 million people

- Bhagyashree Garekar US Bureau Chief

Alarmed by what they see as an overreach of executive power by President Donald Trump, Americans turned out in huge numbers for a wave of rallies across the country on Oct 18 to protest against his “imperial presidency”.

The participants protested against the crackdown on illegal immigrants, the ongoing government shutdown, funding cuts for education, healthcare and food assistance programmes, and Mr Trump's “increasingly authoritarian” tendencies, in rallies they dubbed “No Kings” marches.

Supporters framed the marches as patriotic and cast themselves as defending the Constitution, while Republican leaders called the event a “Hate America” rally and described the protesters as “communists” and “Marxists”.

In Texas state capital Austin, between 10,000 and 20,000 people marched from the State Capitol to the grassy grounds beside a lake where there were speeches, live music and food trucks to keep the crowds engaged.

“The No-Kings message doesn’t resonate with me, but I understand what they’re trying to say. It’s a stand against dictators,” said Ms Kathleen Shaheen, a 71-year-old mental health worker who took a break from the march to cool off with a drink at a local burger store.

Asked why she came out on an unseasonably hot day, Ms Shaheen told The Straits Times that it was her “stubbornness”, and wanting to make a difference. “I wanted to be around people that feel the same way and be open about it,” she said, adding that she wanted to “get re-energised”.

“He’s cutting healthcare for people; people don’t have complete mental health benefits. It’s very unsettling,” she said, referring to budget cuts and layoffs at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The federal agency oversees the 988 suicide prevention hotline and gives out billions in grants for mental health and addiction services.