“We are determined to defend our democracy,” says the No Kings protest organizer.

Ali Rogin:

Good evening I’m on Rogaine. Jun Yang away. Millions came out across the country today in a coordinated day of protest against President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies. Organizers expected more than 2,600 rallies to be held in major cities and small towns in all 50 states and some European capitals, including Paris, London, Madrid and Berlin.

A similar event in June brought out more than 5 million demonstrators across the country. But this time, the organizers’ mobilization was greater.

Ali Rogin (voice-over):

Today’s protests spread across the country and other parts of the world. Huge crowds turned out in major cities including New York, Washington, D.C., Boston and Chicago. Protesters also gathered in small towns like this one in rural Virginia and across the country. They all shared one message.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D) of Connecticut: Simple words, no kings.

Alison Elliott:

We want to show our support for democracy and fight for what is right.

Ali Rogin (voice-over):

Protesters called for immigration raids and President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to certain cities. Among the reasons for their departure.

man:

He shouldn’t be able to do such abuses of his power in conquering cities.

Jenny Letzer-Neves:

As an immigrant here in Germany, it’s really important to me that America was founded on immigrants, by immigrants and the fact that they’re trying to ignore that and rewrite history is really big.

Ali Rogin (voice-over):

President Trump’s allies criticized the marches as gatherings of extremists. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Friday that these measures showed how marginal the political left is.

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE JOHNSON, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: If you think about what’s going to happen here tomorrow, you’re going to bring together Marxists, socialists, Antifa advocates, anarchists, the pro-Hamas wing of the far-left Democratic Party, that’s the modern Democratic Party. This is where they went.

Ali Rogin (voice-over):

But in streets across America, crowds were energized, what organizers said was a large-scale exercise in peaceful protest.

Ali Rogin:

Now to learn more about those protests, we turn to Robert Weissman, co-chair of Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group that is one of the organizers of the protest. Robert, thank you so much for being here. I just got back from a DC meeting downtown from your office. How did you find it?

Robert Weissman, Co-Chair, Public Citizen:

How wonderful it was. We had hundreds of thousands of people in the streets protesting Donald Trump’s tyranny. It was emotional, then it was joyful. There was a dance party on the steps of the Department of Labor with people wearing inflatable costumes. There were signs of hysteria.

But there was a clear message that we intend to defend our democracy by exercising our democratic rights. We do not surrender to Donald Trump, his tyranny, and his efforts to scare us into submission.

Ali Rogin:

As mentioned, today’s turnout was expected to be larger than the “No Kings” protests in June, with more people attending and more marches across the country. Why do you think this is?

Robert Weisman:

I think there are two things going on. I think Trump’s tyranny is getting worse and he’s mobilizing more people, but I think his efforts at intimidation have also failed. And every time people walk out, every time they protest, every time people stand up, it makes it easier for the next group of people to do so. So we believe that today, when all is said and done, will be the largest day of protest in American history.

All to defend our democracy, to oppose ICE raids, to oppose the National Guard on our streets, to oppose the illegal firings of federal employees, and to oppose the illegal closures of agencies. More people want a government that works for us, not for Donald Trump and his oligarch friends.

Ali Rogin:

You mentioned some of the issues that drove people out today. I’m wondering what you heard from people participating in the demonstration in D.C. and across the country. Are people motivated by individual issues? Are they motivated by this administration’s holistic approach, or have you found it’s a combination of factors?

Robert Weisman:

Yes, I think it’s both. I mean, I think people are really concerned about the fate of our country and understand that what Trump is trying to do overall is remove our democracy and replace it with an authoritarian regime.

So some people might be more motivated by putting pressure on universities, or by illegal kidnapping of immigrants, or by deploying the National Guard, or by closing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which protects us from financial fraudsters, or by weaponizing the Department of Justice.

But everyone understands that whatever it is that moves them forward, it is part of the larger fabric of this authoritarian agenda, and they are ready, willing, and eager to stand up to it.

Ali Rogin:

As you well know, Republicans, and other allies of President Trump, have criticized these rallies. Speaker Mike Johnson referred to the event as an America-hating day of protest, and that he was truly there to stand against everything America stands for. I wonder what you think of this criticism?

Robert Weisman:

Well, they were both ridiculous. We had millions of Americans in the streets today from all walks of life, in every state, in every congressional district, in Speaker Johnson’s district, with 12 different events, from all kinds of people. They don’t hate America, they love America.

But it was also shameful, because you may not agree with what the protesters are asking, but you should embrace and celebrate our right to protest instead of telling us to stay home and be quiet or claiming that we are seeking violence by exercising our First Amendment rights.

Protest drives every important moment of progress in American history, including our independence. And it is protest now that will disrupt this authoritarian agenda of Donald Trump.

Ali Rogin:

What do you want Americans to gain from today’s events?

Robert Weisman:

I think what Trump is trying to do is make people feel afraid and isolated and like his agenda is inevitable. And when you see this influx of people in the streets, even if you are not part of it, you should know that you are not alone, and that people do not agree with this agenda. If you don’t join today, join the next day. Find a community organization. There is strength in togetherness, solidarity and love.

I believe this is how we will defeat tyranny. This is what America is best about, when we come together united. And I think that’s what we’re showing today and people who weren’t part of it. Join us next time.

Ali Rogin:

Robert Weisman with Public Citizen. Thank you very much.

Robert Weisman:

Thank you.