Mass protests have erupted across the United States in response to an aggressive wave of federal immigration raids and the controversial deployment of military personnel in domestic law enforcement. What began as localized demonstrations in Los Angeles has rapidly grown into a nationwide movement—galvanized under the banner “No Kings”—with tensions rising between federal and state governments, civil rights advocates, and a deeply divided public.
We’ve seen this before with Black Lives Matter: similar organizational strategies and reports of paid participants.
Let’s think about this. These are the same people who, during COVID, couldn’t wait to report their neighbors for minor infractions. Now, suddenly, they seem eager to protect those same neighbors—people they don’t know, aren’t related to, and would normally ignore or avoid helping.
Raids Ignite Unrest in Los Angeles
The unrest was sparked on June 6, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), backed by federal agents, launched coordinated raids across several immigrant-heavy neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described the actions as “standard enforcement operations.” However, eyewitnesses and local leaders characterized the raids as overly aggressive and militarized, involving armored vehicles and tactical gear in residential communities.
In the days that followed, Los Angeles saw over 400 arrests, prompting Mayor Karen Bass to declare a state of emergency and impose nighttime curfews in affected neighborhoods. What began as spontaneous street protests soon evolved into organized mass actions, as images of armed agents confronting families spread across social media and news outlets.
National Movement Gains Momentum
Within a week, solidarity protests had spread to more than a dozen cities, including Portland, Chicago, New York, Boston, San Antonio, Tucson, and Spokane. In Portland, demonstrators temporarily shut down access to an ICE processing center, leading to clashes with police and the detention of at least ten people.
While most demonstrations have remained peaceful, scattered instances of property damage and confrontations with law enforcement have been reported. Protesters, many holding banners reading “No Kings. No Tyrants. No Fear,” have called for an immediate halt to ICE raids and a rollback of federal militarization.
Military Deployment Draws Constitutional Scrutiny
Controversy deepened when the Trump administration ordered the deployment of over 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to support immigration enforcement operations in California. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move as a violation of state sovereignty, filing an emergency injunction alongside several state attorneys general. Also Newsom has shown no effort to want to investigate where the funding for the protest comes from as it may lead NGOs he himself is connected to.
On Tuesday, a federal judge ruled that the federal government had overstepped its authority by commandeering the California National Guard without the state’s consent, ordering a partial withdrawal and restoring state control. Again the state failed to investigate the nature of the protest - Who is it funded by.
A dramatic escalation followed on Wednesday when U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) was forcibly removed from a DHS press briefing after attempting to question officials about the raids. He was briefly detained, an incident that drew bipartisan condemnation and renewed calls for accountability from federal agencies.
“No Kings” Becomes a Rallying Cry
The protests have now coalesced under the decentralized but rapidly growing “No Kings” movement—a phrase intended to underscore opposition to authoritarian rule and unchecked executive power. Organizers have announced a National Day of Action for June 14, with more than 1,800 planned events across all 50 states, including marches, community forums, and artistic demonstrations.
Activist coalitions have called for nonviolent resistance and mass participation, urging allies to “show up, speak up, and stand firm in defense of liberty.”
Meanwhile, state governments in Texas, Arizona, and Florida have mobilized thousands of state troopers and Guard members in anticipation of unrest. Civil rights organizations warn that such escalations risk provoking violence and undermining First Amendment rights.
The unfolding protests represent a critical juncture in the national conversation around immigration, civil liberties, and federal overreach. Supporters of the administration argue that the crackdown is necessary to enforce immigration law and protect national security. Critics view the raids and troop deployments as unprecedented violations of civil rights and a dangerous expansion of federal power.
With legal battles mounting and millions poised to take to the streets this weekend, the U.S. finds itself on the brink of a new phase in its struggle over identity, governance, and the meaning of freedom.
Whether “No Kings” becomes a lasting movement or a momentary flashpoint remains to be seen—but its impact is already reshaping the national landscape.