A grassroots protest movement that began as a modest online slogan has evolved into a nationwide campaign, with thousands of demonstrators expected to fill the streets of Los Angeles on Saturday.

The movement, known as “No Kings,” is organized locally by 50501 SoCal, a regional chapter of a larger national coalition that promotes civic engagement and nonviolent protest. Organizers say the effort was born out of concern over what they describe as growing threats to democratic institutions and executive overreach.

“We’re here to protect our democracy from this administration, from Donald Trump — a wannabe king,” said Hunter Dunn, an organizer with 50501 SoCal, adding that the group’s focus remains on “peaceful civic action.”

According to the organization’s website, 50501 began as a decentralized response to what it calls the “anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration and its plutocratic allies.” The name reflects its founding concept: “50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.”

What began as a single day of coordinated demonstrations — more than 80 protests held across all 50 states — has since evolved into a recurring campaign of nationwide actions. The group says it has “mobilized millions of people” through a growing network of volunteer organizers and partner organizations dedicated to defending civil liberties and democratic norms.

The “No Kings” rallies first gained traction earlier this year following federal enforcement actions, including ICE raids and National Guard deployments in the Los Angeles area. In June, thousands joined protests across Greater L.A. — most of which remained peaceful — though a few incidents prompted Mayor Karen Bass to impose a temporary curfew in a one-square-mile section of downtown.

“We absolutely support and have to have peaceful protests,” Bass said at the time. “That is a part of our American way, and no one should engage in any type of vandalism, but the overwhelming majority of them have been peaceful.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom also urged participants to avoid unrest, saying, “If you participate, do so peacefully… because there’s one person that hopes you don’t and hopes there is disruption… and he will exploit that and take advantage of it.”

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  1. FILE - Protesters stand off against California National Guard soldiers at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles during a "No Kings" protest, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

    FILE – Protesters stand off against California National Guard soldiers at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles during a “No Kings” protest, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

  2. EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY – Demonstrators march in the “No Kings” protest with a President Donald Trump balloon in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

    EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY – Demonstrators march in the “No Kings” protest with a President Donald Trump balloon in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

  3. Protesters hold banners and placards as they march during a nationwide “No Kings” rally in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. Thousands of people rallied across the United States on June 14 as a so-called “No Kings” has sprung up against the policies of US President Donald Trump, ahead of a rare military parade on his 79th birthday. (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA / AFP) (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty Images)

    Protesters hold banners and placards as they march during a nationwide “No Kings” rally in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. Thousands of people rallied across the United States on June 14 as a so-called “No Kings” has sprung up against the policies of US President Donald Trump, ahead of a rare military parade on his 79th birthday. (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA / AFP) (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty Images)

  4. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 14: Protesters carry a banner representing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trump’s birthday. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 14: Protesters carry a banner representing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trump’s birthday. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

  5. Demonstrators gather to protest the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally in downtown Los Angeles on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Etienne LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)

    Demonstrators gather to protest the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally in downtown Los Angeles on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Etienne LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)

  6. LOS ANGELES- JUNE 14: Protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trump’s immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trump’s birthday. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

    LOS ANGELES- JUNE 14: Protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trump’s immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trump’s birthday. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

  7. Protesters rally at Lafayette Square during the “No Kings” protest in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025, the day of President Trump’s military parade. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Amid FARAHI / AFP) (Photo by AMID FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images)

    Protesters rally at Lafayette Square during the “No Kings” protest in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025, the day of President Trump’s military parade. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Amid FARAHI / AFP) (Photo by AMID FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images)

  8. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 14: Protesters carry a banner representing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trump’s immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trump’s birthday. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 14: Protesters carry a banner representing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trump’s immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trump’s birthday. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

  9. Demonstrators confront the police as they protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

    Demonstrators confront the police as they protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

  10. Demonstrators holding signs and flags, protest the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

    Demonstrators holding signs and flags, protest the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

  11. A person holds up a sign reading “No Troops in our Backyard” during the “No Kings” protest in downtown Houston, Texas, June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Mark Felix / AFP) (Photo by MARK FELIX/AFP via Getty Images)

    A person holds up a sign reading “No Troops in our Backyard” during the “No Kings” protest in downtown Houston, Texas, June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Mark Felix / AFP) (Photo by MARK FELIX/AFP via Getty Images)

  12. Demonstrators hold a sign “The Holocaust started as mass deportation” during the “No Kings” protest at Lafayette Square in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025, the day of President Trump’s military parade. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Amid FARAHI / AFP) (Photo by AMID FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images)

    Demonstrators hold a sign “The Holocaust started as mass deportation” during the “No Kings” protest at Lafayette Square in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025, the day of President Trump’s military parade. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Amid FARAHI / AFP) (Photo by AMID FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images)

  13. Demonstrators confront the police as they protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

    Demonstrators confront the police as they protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

  14. EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / Demonstrators protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

    EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / Demonstrators protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

  15. LOS ANGELES- JUNE 14: Thousands of protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trump’s immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trump’s birthday. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

    LOS ANGELES- JUNE 14: Thousands of protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trump’s immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trump’s birthday. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

  16. Demonstrators hold signs as they protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

    Demonstrators hold signs as they protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

  17. Demonstrators protest the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

    Demonstrators protest the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally near US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, a “No Kings” movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a “20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper.” (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

  18. A sign reading “Deportation without Due Process is Kidnapping!” at the “No Kings” protest in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 14, 2025. (WOODTV)

    A sign reading “Deportation without Due Process is Kidnapping!” at the “No Kings” protest in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 14, 2025. (WOODTV)

  19. People take part in a “No Kings” protest in New York on June 14, 2025 as US President Donald Trump presides over a military parade in Washington, DC. Trump will preside over a huge military parade in Washington on his 79th birthday, as nationwide protests rejecting his brand of politics underscore deep divisions over his second term. But the threat of thunderstorms in the US capital, and the barrage of missiles raining down in Tel Aviv and Tehran — a conflict in which the American military is assisting — could cast a long shadow over the president’s celebration. Nearly 7,000 troops plus dozens of tanks and helicopters will rumble through Washington in an event officially marking the 250th anniversary of the US army — at a cost of up to $45 million. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

    People take part in a “No Kings” protest in New York on June 14, 2025 as US President Donald Trump presides over a military parade in Washington, DC. Trump will preside over a huge military parade in Washington on his 79th birthday, as nationwide protests rejecting his brand of politics underscore deep divisions over his second term. But the threat of thunderstorms in the US capital, and the barrage of missiles raining down in Tel Aviv and Tehran — a conflict in which the American military is assisting — could cast a long shadow over the president’s celebration. Nearly 7,000 troops plus dozens of tanks and helicopters will rumble through Washington in an event officially marking the 250th anniversary of the US army — at a cost of up to $45 million. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

  20. People form a human banner at Ocean Beach during the “No Kings” protests in San Francisco on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

    People form a human banner at Ocean Beach during the “No Kings” protests in San Francisco on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Despite those assurances, the movement has drawn sharp criticism from some conservative lawmakers. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it “the ‘Hate America’ rally,” while Sen. Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, said participants are “total hypocrites” who “aren’t interested in democracy.”

Organizers reject those characterizations. “First off, we’re pro-democracy and we’re incredibly peaceful,” Dunn said. “I’m not a member of an organization called Antifa… but I’m a proud anti-fascist.”

The Los Angeles gathering is one of more than 2,700 events planned across the country, including in Memphis, Portland, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Dunn described the demonstrations as a show of unity among cities that have supported each other during past protests.

“We need to stand with those cities, the way that they stood with us on June 14,” he said, “and ‘No Kings’ is one way to do that.”

Those interested in participating can go to the official website to find the nearest protest.

John Fenoglio’s reporting contributed to this article.

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