By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Organizers are planning a third round of “No Kings” protests this spring, aiming for their largest demonstrations yet across the U.S. to oppose what they view as authoritarianism under President Donald Trump. Following previous rallies that drew millions, the upcoming protests, scheduled for March 28, are expected to be even larger, especially after the recent immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. The protests, organized by various groups, focus on issues like Trump’s attempts to consolidate power and, more recently, the killing of two people by federal agents in Minneapolis. Organizers emphasize the importance of exercising constitutional rights through nonviolent yet forceful means, aiming to build a sustainable resistance to the Trump administration’s actions.
Read the original article here
More ‘No Kings’ protests planned for March 28 as outrage spreads over Minneapolis deaths – it’s a conversation starter, isn’t it? The sheer energy and immediacy of the situation are palpable. There’s this undeniable frustration bubbling up, and the call for action is now, not in two months. The feeling is that waiting until March 28th to protest feels like a delay, a pause when what’s needed is immediate engagement.
The criticism, and the sentiment shared by many, centers on the timeframe. Organizing a protest that far out, some feel, is almost performative. It gives the impression of addressing the issue without demanding action now. It’s like saying, “We’ll do something eventually,” while the crisis continues to unfold. There’s this sense that it’s akin to telling people to vote in November after a tragedy, rather than engaging directly with the current reality.
Some have expressed it perfectly, the feeling is that the momentum should be seized immediately. Why not protest this weekend? Why not a one-day strike? The anger is there, the people are protesting despite the weather, so why not escalate? There’s a real fear, expressed by some, that waiting could allow the situation to worsen, even to the point where, by the time March rolls around, the country could be in a far more dire state.
The critiques also touch on the nature of these large-scale protests. Some feel that the long lead time gives the impression of a lack of urgency, of a movement that is not meeting the moment. It’s suggested that the focus should be on immediate action, on disrupting the system, not on scheduling an event that allows for preparations and pre-arranged attendance. The perception, according to some, is that there might be a lack of genuine threat to the current system, making the protests less effective.
There is, of course, a counter-argument. Some believe that the time is needed to organize a protest of this size, that it takes time to mobilize millions, to send a message that resonates across the country. The success of previous ‘No Kings’ actions is cited, with each one seemingly larger than the last, building momentum. This perspective suggests that the long lead time is a necessary part of the process, that it allows for a more significant impact.
Others are calling for boycotts, a way to hit the system where it hurts most: in the wallet. The idea is to stop supporting the businesses that profit from the current state of affairs, to starve them of their revenue until they are forced to change. This is suggested in conjunction with the upcoming protest, as a way to send a unified message.
Then, there are the practical considerations. One participant mentions the necessity of booking time off work, the logistics of arranging childcare, the challenges of participating in a protest without prior notice. These are legitimate concerns, and they speak to the need for time to prepare, to make it easier for people to join the cause. There’s also the suggestion that people are too busy with their daily lives, too caught up in their jobs, to participate in protests.
There’s also a call for immediate actions, for people to find and join local protests happening right now. The emphasis here is on being proactive, on not waiting for a pre-planned event, but on taking direct action in the present. It’s about recognizing that, while the March 28th protest may be significant, it shouldn’t preclude participation in any other immediate, local actions.
A sense of frustration is evident; a few commentators view the scheduled protest as nothing more than an opportunity for people to gather in costume, or on a picnic. Their concern is that these actions are performative, doing little to address the root causes of the problem. It highlights the tension between those who want to see immediate change and those who believe in a more structured, long-term approach.
The overall sentiment is a mix of frustration, urgency, and a genuine desire for change. It’s a dialogue of disagreement and consensus, a reflection of the challenges of organizing and mobilizing, of finding the right balance between immediate action and long-term strategy. The ‘No Kings’ protests on March 28th, whatever their impact, are clearly part of a larger conversation about how to respond to the deaths and the underlying system that allowed them to happen.