What to know about Oct. 18 "No Kings" protests

Data: No Kings; Map: Axios VisualsNo Kings protest organizers expect millions to gather across the nation on Saturday, Oct. 18 in an event Republican lawmakers decry as a "a hate America rally."Why it matters: The latest round of protests comes amid growing frustration about the ongoing government shutdown and widespread opposition to President Trump's military crackdown on Democratic-led cities across America.State of play: More than 2,500 events are planned across all 50 states as of Monday, organizers said."Together, millions will send a clear and unmistakable message: we are a nation of equals, and our country will not be ruled by fear or force," their statement said.Participating groups include the American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible and MoveOn.The other side: The recurring movement against the Trump administration has garnered sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers who say Democrats are protesting as a ploy during the government shutdown. "The Trump Administration is focused on stopping the scourge of left-wing violence plaguing American communities," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement. "Left-wing protestors can beclown themselves by lawfully protesting the alternate reality they live in, but violence or breaking the law will not be tolerated." What they're saying: Republican leadership, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), called the protest "a hate America rally." Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said the National Guard will need to respond to protesters. "Hopefully it will be peaceful — I doubt it," he said. The White House did not answer whether Trump plans to deploy National Guard troops to any protest sites Saturday.Friction point: Johnson, in a Fox News appearance, said the protests were being put on by "the pro-Hamas wing and the Antifa people.""It's being told to us that they won't be able to reopen the government until after that rally because they can't face their rabid base," he said after criticizing House Democrats.Reality check: Johnson canceled a third week of House votes amid the ongoing shutdown.Zoom in: "Speaker Johnson is running out of excuses for keeping the government shut down," No Kings organizers said. "Instead of reopening the government, preserving affordable healthcare, or lowering costs for working families, he's attacking millions of Americans who are peacefully coming together to say that America belongs to its people, not to kings."Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said on Bluesky he looked forward to No Kings Day, saying the GOP was "the same kind of weasels who would've called George Washington & America's revolutionaries 'terrorists.'" He wrote that Republicans "spend their days sucking up to King Trump & demonizing peaceful protest just as some in America sought to appease King George III."Behind the scenes: Home of the Brave, a nonprofit that says it amplifies those "harmed by the Trump administration," launched a $1 million ad campaign to promote Saturday's rallies in local and national news outlets.The No Kings website said the Trump administration has "doubled down" since the June protests.Flashback: The first No Kings rally took place June 14 in response to a military parade Trump planned for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and the president's 79th birthday. The protests are part of a wider movement against the Trump administration including Tesla Takedown in March, Hands Off! and 50501 in April, May Day, Free America on Independence Day and "Workers over Billionaires" on Labor Day.Go deeper:How Trump could use the Insurrection Act to send troops to American citiesResistance 2.0 protests get louder and more organized