No Kings Movement: Future of Protests & Good Trouble
Millions mobilized in the ”No Kings” movement against authoritarianism, with widespread protests on June 14th. This piece uncovers the next steps for the movement, including further demonstrations, and leadership training, and also consumer boycotts. Learn about the upcoming “good Trouble Lives On” national protest, honoring John Lewis, set for July 17, and the “1 Million Rising” initiative, aiming to train pro-democracy leaders. Discover the impact of consumer boycotts against Tesla and Elon Musk. News Directory 3 delivers key insights into the evolving strategies and the challenges the movement faces, including recent tragic events. Explore the diverse coalitions driving these efforts and how activists are pushing for change. Discover what’s next for the future of activism.
fueled by concerns over authoritarianism, millions of activists participated in “No Kings” protests against former President Donald Trump on June 14, coinciding with his birthday and a military parade in Washington, D.C.
Organizers estimate that 5 million people took part in over 2,000 demonstrations, spanning from major cities to small towns. Self-reliant observers suggest the turnout may have reached 7 million. The “No kings” movement is now strategizing its next steps, including further protests, leadership training, and consumer boycotts, organizers said Monday.
A new national protest, ”Good Trouble Lives On,” is planned for July 17, honoring the late Congressman John Lewis. The rallying cry is “March in Peace. Act in Power.” Dozens of demonstrations are already planned.
Indivisible, a progressive grassroots organization, is spearheading “1 Million Rising,” an initiative to train one million people as pro-democracy movement leaders. The goal is to equip individuals with the skills to lead and empower others, building a political force that cannot be ignored, according to organizers.
Consumer boycotts against Elon Musk and Tesla are gaining momentum. Tesla Takedown activists have organized a “Musk Must Fall” protest for June 28, coinciding with Musk’s birthday. Protesters are also pressuring T-Mobile to end its partnership with Musk’s satellite company, Starlink.
During Monday’s call, organizers celebrated the success of the “No Kings” protests but also acknowledged recent tragedies, including assassinations in Minnesota and gun violence at a protest in utah, where a protester was killed by a stray bullet. Police said a 39-year-old fashion designer was killed by a stray bullet fired by an armed protest security volunteer who was seeking to confront a man with an AR-15 assault rifle.That man has been charged with murder, police said.
Ezra Levin, a cofounder of Indivisible, praised the millions of Americans who protested Trump’s ”authoritarian” parade. He said the parade was hazardous and resembled events in North Korea and China. Levin added, “I’m proud to be in this movement with y’all.”
An Indivisible colleague previewed the “1 Million Rising” initiative, aimed at building “power that lasts.” The organizer made clear that the initiative is the work of a coalition ranging from the league of Conservation voters to the American Civil Liberties Union to the upstart grassroots group 50501. The point is not to have scores and scores of activists reinventing the wheel, but to give folks an prospect to learn leadership skills and then “plug in” to organizations dedicated to the issues they are most passionate about, ranging from immigration and racial justice, to climate change, to voting rights and democracy building.
Barbara Arnwine of the Transformative Justice Coalition previewed “Good Trouble Lives On,” and said organizers are launching weekly “host trainings” for activists who want to plan demonstrations in their own city or town. This mobilization is explicitly about countering “attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration.”
Maria Stephan of The Horizons Project discussed the impact of consumer boycotts, highlighting the protests against tesla, wich she called “one of the most powerful consumer boycotts in recent memory.” She also noted the Black-lead consumer boycott of Target.Stephan said consumer activism can change the incentives for corporations, pushing them away from supporting authoritarian regimes and toward supporting pro-democracy movements.