Organizers say they are expecting more than 100,000 people to attend the largest “No Kings” rally in DC being held Saturday, October 18. It’s part of a second nationwide series of No Kings protests against Donald Trump and his administration. If that many people do show up for the DC protest, it could eclipse the estimated 100,000 who attended the April 5 Hands Off! rally convened in DC by the same coalition of progressive groups. (In June, organizers did not plan a No Kings rally in DC itself, where an Army parade was being held on what was also the President’s birthday.)
The original No Kings day, in June, drew an estimated 4 to 6 million protesters nationwide, according to researchers. Organizers say that mounting frustrations with the Trump administration, including the government shutdown, may contribute to more people participating this time.
While there will also be an estimated 2,600 other No Kings events occurring Saturday in all 50 states, organizers see DC as a “case study” for Trump’s overreach, one he might replicate in other cities. And they say they believe the ongoing militarization of DC’s streets will prompt Washingtonians to “come out en masse and peacefully say that this city does not belong to him, this country does not belong to him, he’s not a king, and he reports to us the people.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Where is the big DC protest taking place?
The DC protest will be near the National Mall, at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave., NW, and 3rd St., NW. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:30 AM for pre-programming activities, which include a DJ and an unannounced musical artist. The main-stage events will go from noon to 2 PM. Organizers encourage attendees to wear yellow, or carry a yellow item, for solidarity.
Who is speaking?
National and local partner organizations, including the ACLU, Care in Action, Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, and Free DC have representatives scheduled to give remarks at the protest, alongside the rally’s organizers. Others slated to appear include Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut; the “Science Guy” Bill Nye; Mehdi Hasan, founder of the media company Zeteo; and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who will speak last.
Will there be other No Kings protests in the DC area?
If you can’t go to the rally near the National Mall—one of the “flagship” events on Saturday—more than 50 other No Kings rallies are planned in DC and surrounding Maryland and Virginia; you can find a map here. A livestream will be available on NoKings.org.
Mind these road closures.
The Race for Every Child also takes place on Saturday at Freedom Plaza, which will cause traffic restrictions and road closures you’ll want to know about.
There will be no parking on these streets from 4 AM to 3 PM on Saturday:
- Pennsylvania Ave. from 9th St. to 14th St., NW
- 13th St. from E St. to Pennsylvania Ave., NW
There will be no parking on these streets from 4 AM to 11 AM on Saturday:
- Pennsylvania Ave. from 3rd St. to 9th St., NW
- 3rd St. from C St., NW to D St., SW
- Independence Ave. from 3rd St. to 7th St., SW
- 4th St. from Pennsylvania Ave., NW to D St., SW
- C St. from 2nd St. to 4th St., SW
- D St. from 3rd St. to 4th St., SW
These streets will be closed from 4 AM to 3 PM on Saturday:
- Pennsylvania Ave. from 9th St. to 14th St., NW
- 13th St. from E St. to Pennsylvania Ave., NW
- 12th St. from E St. to Constitution Ave., NW
- 11th St. from E St. to Pennsylvania Ave., NW
- 10th St. from E St. to Constitution Ave., NW
These streets will be closed from 8 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday:
- Pennsylvania Ave. from 3rd St. to 9th St., NW
- 9th St. from E St. to Constitution Ave., NW
- D St. from 8th St. to 9th St., NW
- 7th St. from Indiana Ave. to Constitution Ave., NW
- 6th St. from C St. to Constitution Ave., NW
- Constitution Ave. from 3rd St. to 7th St., NW
- 3rd St. from C St., NW to D St., SW
- Independence Ave. from Washington Ave. to 7th St., SW
- 4th St. from Pennsylvania Ave., NW to D St., SW
- C St. from 2nd St. to 4th St., SW
- D St. from 3rd St. to 4th St., SW
- 6th St. from Independence Ave. to Maryland Ave., SW
This post will be updated if any new details are released about the event.
