Millions of Americans are expected to join nationwide protests Saturday, including multiple rallies in New York City, for the second time since President Donald Trump’s re-election.
Organizers of the "No Kings" protests in the five boroughs say they expect tens of thousands of people to turn out in Midtown and other locations across the city.
The demonstrations come as Trump has deployed federal law enforcement and, in some instances, the National Guard to protect federal buildings in cities where he says crime and disorder are prevalent.
Organizers say the protests will be fully peaceful, but they are preparing for the possibility that participants will encounter federal agents, according to Ellen Flenniken at the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU has trained more than 20,000 people on their protest rights ahead of Saturday's protests, Flenniken said.
“The response that we have seen all across the country is that folks are eager to proudly, peacefully and lawfully exercise their First Amendment rights,” she said.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that the agency would “enforce the laws of our nation," but did not say if agents from the department would be sent to the demonstrations. The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.
Where are the New York protests?
The primary demonstration in Manhattan will step off from Father Duffy Square in the heart of Midtown at 11 a.m., according to the No Kings website.
The website also lists protests in the Bronx, Queens and on Staten Island. Another is planned to take place at Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza at noon.
A feminist punk performance featuring Pussy Riot, Le Tigre and Las Tesis is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, but the show's address is private, the website states.
How is the city preparing?
The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment about how many officers it will deploy to the protests, or how it plans to respond to them.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said thousands of officers were sent to police the last No Kings demonstrations in June.
Who will attend?
Organizers say they’re expecting millions of people to turn out nationwide, including as many as 100,000 in New York City.
Some politicians have said they will join the protesters, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who lives in Brooklyn.
A spokesperson for Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani said he has no plans to appear at the rallies Saturday, but added that this could change.
Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo’s campaign did not respond when asked if he would attend.
