The protests come during the federal government shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees encouraged its 820,000 members to join the rallies.
Trump has “doubled down” on “authoritarian power grabs,” according to the No Kings website.
“The president thinks his rule is absolute,” No Kings organizers say on the site. “But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
Here are images from the “No Kings” protest in Charlotte:
Protesters begin the ‘No Kings’ rally in First Ward Park in Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18. The rally turned into a march through Uptown. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
The ‘No Kings’ march makes its way through uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18. The protest is part of a national movement to rally against policies enacted by President Donald Trump. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
The ‘No Kings’ march makes its way through uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18. The protest is part of a national movement to rally against policies enacted by President Donald Trump. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
A woman in a Statue of Liberty costume and a Donald Trump impersonator participate in the ‘No Kings’ rally in uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
A father and two children sit atop a metal structure in First Ward Park as the ‘No Kings’ protest marches through uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
The ‘No Kings’ protest marches through uptown Charlotte as CMPD officers monitor on Saturday, Oct. 18, as part of a national rally against policies enacted by President Donald Trump. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
The ‘No Kings’ protest marches through uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18, as CMPD officers look on. The rally began at 10 a.m. at First Ward Park before descending onto the streets. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
A person in an inflatable unicorn costume watches on during the ‘No Kings’ rally in uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
A crowd marches through uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18, as part of the ‘No Kings’ rallies happening nationally to protest policies enacted by President Donald Trump. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
A protester holds a sign that reads “Migrants are the heart of this country” during the No Kings rally in First Ward Park on Saturday, Oct. 18, in Charlotte. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
A protester hoists a Lebanese flag at the No Kings rally in uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18. Hundreds crowded into First Ward Park before marching through Uptown. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
Protesters take part in the No Kings rally in First Ward Park on Saturday, Oct. 18. Hundreds showed up to protest against President Donald Trump. Khadejeh Nikouyeh
Protesters at the ‘No Kings’ rally in uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18, raise Palestinian and Lebanese flags in First Ward Park as speakers begin to kick off the rally. Jeff Chamer
The crowd settles in First Ward Park on Saturday, Oct. 18, for a ‘No Kings’ rally in uptown Charlotte. Hundreds of people showed up to protest policies enacted by President Donald Trump, Khadejeh Nikouyeh
The ‘No Kings’ rally sets up around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, in First Ward Park in uptown Charlotte ahead of their rally. This is the second rally this year, which targets policies enacted by President Donald Trump. Chase Jordan
Various signs are lined up for the ‘No Kings’ protest in uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 18. Protesters began to arrive in the park for the rally and march around 9 a.m. Chase Jordan
Protesters look on as the ‘No Kings’ rally in uptown Charlotte begins to set up in First Ward Park on Saturday, Oct. 18. Chase Jordan
This story was originally published October 18, 2025 at 12:22 PM.
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