Massive demonstrations swept across the United States on Saturday as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets under the banner of “No Kings,” protesting against President Donald Trump’s alleged authoritarian tendencies.

Organized and supported by the Democratic Party, the rally marked the second “No Kings” protest after the first in June — but this time, the turnout was significantly larger. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the election to Trump, urged citizens to join “peaceful protests to express our voice,” emphasizing that “the power is with the people.”

The movement’s slogan, “No Kings,” draws inspiration from America’s anti-monarchical roots during the revolution against British rule. Trump, however, dismissed the accusations, telling Fox Business, “They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.”

Major organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Human Rights Campaign, and several teachers’ unions joined the demonstrations, which took place amid a federal government shutdown. The shutdown resulted from a standoff between Democrats and Republicans over healthcare funding and social spending.

The protests were further fueled by Trump’s decision to deploy federal forces to Democratic-run states, citing rising crime and border violations. Demonstrations clogged Times Square in New York, while major turnouts were also reported in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

More than 2,500 protests were planned nationwide, with participants using satire and creative costumes to lampoon the Trump administration. Despite tensions, the demonstrations remained largely peaceful.