By Bill Hackwell on March 30, 2026
General Strike on May 1. fotos: Bill Hackwell
The third NO KINGS demonstrations this past Saturday were not just the largest of the three but was quite possibly the largest single day of protest in US history. Organizers are reporting that there were over 8 million people in 3,300 large cities and little towns in all 50 states.
The protests come at a time when Trump is bogged down in an expanding war condemned by the vast majority whose standard of living is shrinking in front of their eyes. His already low approval ratings are dropping him further down in the polls, from rising prices driven by increases in oil prices, significant declines in the stock markets, and growing public anger over violent ICE attacks against immigrant communities. Trump’s White House spokesperson Abigal Jackson pathetically tried to dismiss the No Kings rallies by saying, “The only people who care about these Trump Deranged Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them.”
While the organizations involved include labor unions, human rights and civil rights organizations, progressive religious groups, immigrant advocacy groups, anti-war organizations, environmentalists, and there were many more just horrified individuals who have had enough. In Minneapolis more than 200,000 people filled the streets supporting the central theme of the national movement and honoring the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti; murdered by ICE agents in their streets.
Where do we go from here?
The main direction of the No Kings movement comes from left liberal leaning democrats who are focused on getting rid of Trump to get back on course. But there are a growing number of young people who are disillusioned not just with Trump but the whole system and that group is coalescing with new and dynamic young leadership who have no “back to the good old days” to go to.
The character and make up of Saturday’s demonstration was not homogeneous and was significantly more militant than the previous two with anti-war, anti-ICE, pro immigrant signs and banners showing up in a big way; especially in cities like Minneapolis, New York City and Los Angeles. It is there where a growing trend could be seen. One that looks past the singular focus of Trump Out. Rather it is one that is determined on building grass roots working class unity that includes immigrants, communities of color, the homeless the LGBTQ communities and is starting to envision a whole different kind of collective world. It also now calls for an end to the war in Iran and an end to the 65 year long blockade of Cuba.
This is an important escalation of demands that is not just calling for the abdication of Trump the King but to shut the system down on May 1; the International Day of Workers. This includes No Work, No School no Shopping — essentially a general strike that would include everybody who isn’t a millionaire. This movement is beginning to feel its strength and direction and has the potential of joining the Cuban people in this next, who every May 1 march in their streets in the tens of thousands to honor the workers and oppressed of the world.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano – English