Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. will be taken over Saturday by an expected tens of thousands of protesters against President Donald Trump’s administration. The event, running under a “No Kings” banner, calls for a reclamation of democracy without the need for “a king” like the president, who “thinks his rule is absolute.” It’s part of a nationwide series of events protesting against the current administration.
Participants will march along the National Mall and are encouraged to wear yellow as a “visible optimistic banner that carries the weight of Democratic struggle,” according to the organization’s website.
Ezra Levin, a leading organizer of Saturday’s protests, told The Associated Press that the demonstrations are a response to what he called Trump’s “crackdown on First Amendment rights.” Levin, the co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, pointed to Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown, his unprecedented promises to use federal power to influence midterm elections, restrictions on press freedom, and retribution against political opponents.
Expected speakers at the rally include Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, TV scientist Bill Nye, and British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, among other figures.
In a video posted on X, Sanders said his message ahead of the protest is simple: “People fought and died throughout the history of this country to preserve our democracy. And we’re not going to let Trump or anybody else take it away.”
WTOP’s Scott Gelman reported live from a kickoff event at the Lincoln Memorial on Friday. “Organizers say they’re expecting at least 100,000 people on Pennsylvania Avenue. Republicans, meanwhile, are calling these protests planned across the country tomorrow, ‘Hate America’ rallies,” he said.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a social media post that members of the National Guard will be on duty at the protests “to ensure the Guard will be ready to respond alongside our substantially increased police presence to help keep Virginians safe.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson commented, “We call it the ‘Hate America rally’ that’ll happen Saturday. Let’s see who shows up for that. I bet you see pro-Hamas supporters. I bet you see Antifa types. I bet you see the Marxist in full display, the people who don’t want to stand and defend the foundational truths of this republic, and we do, and that’s what we’re here doing every single day.”
With “No Kings” events also planned in neighboring Maryland, residents traveling into the region are urged to monitor the state’s 511 and ChartWeb database for the latest road closures.
“Motorists are encouraged to provide themselves with extra driving time and keep aware of pedestrians and bicyclists who may be out as part of the event,” Maryland State Highway Administration spokesperson Charlie Gischlar told WTOP.
WTOP has reached out to U.S. Park Police for more information on the event.
DC Road Closures
Some roads will be closed to motorists, and there are parking restrictions in effect. D.C. police remind drivers to proceed with caution and be aware of further detours.
Until Saturday at 7 p.m., Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street to Constitution Avenue, NW, will be posted as “Emergency No Parking” and closed to vehicle traffic.
From 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, the following streets will be posted as “Emergency No Parking:”
- 6th Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 6th Street, NW
- U Street from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW
- W Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to 13th Street, SE
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, the following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic:
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street to 7th Street, NW
- 6th Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 6th Street, NW
- 3rd Street from Constitution Avenue to Independence Avenue, SW
From 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, W Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to 13th Street, SE, will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Additionally, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, temporary street closures may take effect on 14th Street from Florida Avenue to F Street, NW.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2025 WTOP. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
https://wtop.com/dc/2025/10/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-no-kings-protest-in-dc/