Thousands in NYC protest Trump at 'No Kings Day' events, undaunted by rain

Emma Seiwell and Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News on Jun 14, 2025

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NEW YORK — Thousands of demonstrators railed against President Donald Trump and his policies during several “No Kings Day” events in New York City Saturday, slogging through a light rain to decry Trump’s stance on everything from immigration to education.

Protesters gathered amid the drizzle in Bryant Park to kick off a massive protest march through the city. Demonstrators unfurled banners that read, “No Crown for a Clown” and “Trumpster Fire,” as they screamed, “Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Donald Trump has got to go!”

Peaceful marchers were watched by an army of cops in helmets and riot gear. On Friday, Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch vowed that anyone who broke the law during the protest would be arrested.

“For those intent to commit crimes, incite violence, cause property damage and attack our cops, you will be met with the full strength and determination of the greatest police department in the world,” Tisch said at a news conference Friday.

The protests, which occurred across the country Saturday, were billed as a nationwide “day of defiance” against President Donald Trump and his hardline immigration policies. It coincides with Trump’s birthday and military parade in Washington, D.C.

Organizers of the“No Kings Day” events estimated Friday that 75,000 protesters would join Saturday’s protest in the city. But the weather brought the numbers down to between 10,000 and 25,000 according to early estimates.

Later in the afternoon, New York Police Department officials said police had taken three people into custody.

After stepping off from Bryant Park at 2:30 p.m., protesters marched down Fifth Ave. to Madison Square Park. Many demonstrators splintered off from the main group, with some heading all the way down to Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan, where the famed Occupy Wall Street protests were held back in 2011.

Before the march, rallies at Bryant Park saw the likes of mayoral hopefuls Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani, along with comedian Ilana Glazer and “Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon.

Marchers standing shoulder to shoulder came prepared for foul weather with rain slickers and umbrellas, some with the slogans “Defend Students” and “Fund Science” spelled out on the umbrellas in tape.

One protester hoped it was raining in D.C. on Trump’s military procession, which is marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

“I literally want it to rain on Trump’s parade, too,” the protester said.

A group of around 150 from Columbia University came down to join the Bryant Park march.

“Columbians Against Kings, Defend Students, Science and Speeches” one of their banners read.

Other “No Kings” events took place in Forest Hills, Queens, as well as on Victory Blvd. in Staten Island and by Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The NYPD has been policing protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics at Foley Square in lower Manhattan all week. Thousands have attended those protests, during which roughly 100 people were arrested for blocking streets, resisting arrest and assaulting police officers.

While they are in constant contact with federal authorities monitoring protests across the country, Tisch and Adams made it clear to the government that they won’t need the National Guard or a military presence to help police the protests, as Trump ordered in Los Angeles last weekend.