We saw something historic this past Saturday. Over 8 million people across all 50 states stepped out for the third "No Kings" protest. It wasn’t just a big city thing either. About two thirds of these rallies happened in smaller towns and traditionally conservative areas. People are clearly feeling a certain way about where things are headed.
The energy was heavy but focused. In the Twin Cities, where the "flagship" event took place, around 200,000 people gathered. They were there to remember Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed during federal immigration operations earlier this year. It’s hard to ignore that kind of turnout when the message is so personal and tied to local grief.
The list of concerns has grown since the first march last June. It’s not just about immigration anymore. People are talking about the war in Iran, the high cost of basic groceries, and what they see as a serious slide toward authoritarianism. When you see folks in places like Idaho and Alabama holding the same signs as people in DC, you realize this isn't just "politics as usual."
Whether you agree with the movement or not, the scale is undeniable. It was the largest single day protest in our history for a reason. People feel like the balance of power is off and they're using the one tool they have left showing up. It’ll be interesting to see if this momentum actually changes anything at the ballot box later this year.