No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings.
A photo essay by Grant Painter
Photography credits to Grant Painter unless otherwise specified.A photo essay by Grant Painter
Photography credits to Grant Painter unless otherwise specified.On June 14, 2025, a day marked by both Flag Day and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, nationwide protests known as the "No Kings Protests" swept across the United States. Also referred to as the "No Dictators" and "No Tyrants" protests internationally, the demonstrations by protestors served as a direct response to the current U.S. administration's perceived efforts to erode the system of checks and balances designed to equalize the branches of government and constrain the executive's power.
The movement's scale was immense. Organizers estimate that over 5 million people participated in the protests across more than 2,100 cities and towns in the United States alone, with additional solidarity protests held worldwide.¹² Among the thousands of communities taking part was Boone, North Carolina, where residents from across the High Country gathered to add their voices to the national chorus.
"I attended this event at first just to see some people that I knew, but the longer I was there, I realized that the protest was more than just a get-together," said Mitchell Jasper, 12. "I had always been a little cautious to share my beliefs among peers because I was scared of [judgment] and being singled out, but being at the protest made me feel like I was in a safe place and that not only could I share my beliefs as loud as I wanted, but it felt like my voice mattered."
Boone's event was centered on King St. in downtown and lasted officially from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, though protesters stayed at the scene long after the official conclusion of the event. People from throughout the High Country attended to show their support for what they feel is a founding principle of the United States of America: We do not want a king.
While an event survey conducted by the organizers of Boone's No Kings event suggests that only 64 people were in attendance,¹⁰ the actual estimated turnout was significantly higher. The discrepancy stems from the march that began at 11:30 AM. As the group marched along King Street for roughly an hour, a continuous stream of protesters joined and departed without completing the organizers' check-in survey. Taking this dynamic participation into account, local estimates place the total attendance between 200 and 300 people.
President Trump held a parade in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the U.S. Military's 250th birthday, with "thousands of soldiers and dozens of massive military vehicles and aircraft descending on the National Mall." This parade was estimated to cost up to $45 million.⁴
"I am proud to announce that we will be hosting a magnificent Parade to honor the United States Army’s 250th Birthday, on Saturday, June 14th, in Washington, D.C. For two and a half centuries, our brave soldiers have fought, bled, and died to keep us FREE, and now we will honor them with a wonderful Parade, one that is worthy of their service and sacrifice," President Trump said in a post to his social media platform, Truth Social, on May 23, 2025.¹⁴
This was Trump's second attempt at a military parade. He attempted to have a parade during his first term in 2018; however, this parade was canceled after federal officials estimated it would cost around $92 million. Adjusted for inflation, that's closer to $117 million today.¹¹
Military parades of this scale are incredibly uncommon in the United States. The last one happened in 1991 to celebrate the American and allied forces' victory in the first Gulf War.¹¹
Controversy surrounded President Trump's June 14 military parade. This was for a number of reasons, ranging from the cost of the parade (a projected $45 million³) to the potential but unconfirmed perception that President Trump was aggrandizing himself on his birthday.¹⁷
Figures promoted by the White House representing the crowd size stand in opposition to observations by independent media groups and on-site analysts, creating a highly polarizing environment. Attendance was projected in the weeks leading up to the parade to meet roughly 200,000, as reported by several news media outlets.⁵ ¹³ ¹⁶ Following the parade, however, this projection shifted significantly, increasing to 250,000.
This claim seems to have stemmed from a post on X, formerly Twitter, by White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, which stated, "Amazing. Despite the threat of rain, over 250,000 patriots showed up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the @USArmy. God Bless the USA!" ²
The broad consensus challenges the credibility of the "250,000 attendees" claim. Several reputable, independent news media outlets give remarkably consistent observations that strongly suggest the White House's claims are inaccurate.¹ ³ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ Notable examples include The Associated Press, one of the world's largest news agencies, which said the turnout "appeared to fall far short of early predictions that as many as 200,000 people would attend the festival and parade," ¹ and The Guardian, who said that the parade was "a little underwhelming." ³
An official estimate with greater accuracy than what the White House promoted has yet to be released. However, speculation from experts such as Doug Landry, an event planner with experience organizing major events, suggests that numbers hovered around 100,000 people, with a margin of error of 20,000.⁶ In other words, a more accurate estimate of the turnout for Trump's parade would be between 80,000 and 120,000 people.
"I saw many signs. The one I remember the most was one referencing Hamilton," said Mitchell Jasper, 12. "It said, 'History has its eyes on you,' a quote from one of the songs. I think that this stuck with me because it really emphasizes the importance of every person (for me at least), how each person can make a difference and even the smallest protest can cause the biggest of impacts."
"I attended this event because I think that everyone’s voice should be heard. It was a great outlet for all the political frustrations many have," said Hannah Sheffey, 12. "I saw signs that said, 'there are no kings in America,' 'no ice, no kings,' and 'immigrants make America great.' My friend Mitch and I both made signs, mine said 'I like my ice crushed,' and his said, 'Guys... Trump is like REALLY bad lowkey.'"
Every No Kings event is intended to be a peaceful protest, building on the First Amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; [or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.]" ¹⁵
No Kings ensures to embed this in their website's footnote:
"A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events." ⁹
Safety was ensured throughout the entire protest by police personnel on-scene, monitoring to ensure everything goes smoothly.
fin.
In June, we did what many claimed was impossible: peacefully mobilized millions of people to take to the streets and declare with one voice: America has No Kings. And it mattered. The world saw the power of the people. President Trump’s birthday parade was drowned out by protests in every state and across the globe. His attempt to turn June 14 into a coronation collapsed, and the story became the strength of a movement rising against his authoritarian power grabs.
Now, President Trump has doubled down. His administration is sending masked agents into our streets, terrorizing our communities. They are targeting immigrant families, profiling, arresting and detaining people without warrants. Threatening to overtake elections. Gutting healthcare, environmental protections, and education when families need them most. Rigging maps to silence voters. Ignoring mass shootings at our schools and in our communities. Driving up the cost of living while handling out massive giveaways to billionaire allies, as families struggle.
The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.
Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and bigger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan; it is the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, shouted by millions, carried on posters and chants, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.
Because this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants. It belongs to We the People - the people who care, who show up, and the ones who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings." ⁹
- No Kings
Learn more about No Kings at nokings.org.
Baldor, Lolita C., and Michelle L. Price. "Military parade rolls through DC as ‘No Kings’ protesters across US decry Trump." AP News, 14 June 2025, https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1.
Cheung, Steven (@StevenCheung47). "Amazing. Despite the threat of rain..." X (formerly Twitter), 14 June 2025, 8:35 p.m. https://x.com/StevenCheung47/status/1934047008035131566.
Conroy, J. Oliver. "Trump coveted a military spectacle but his parade proved underwhelming: ‘Just kind of lame.'" The Guardian, 15 June 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/15/trump-army-parade.
Cooney, Dan. "9 questions about Trump’s military parade." PBS News, 13 June 2025, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/9-questions-about-trumps-military-parade.
ET Online. "Trump's $45 million birthday parade set for weather hell and not even 'Golden Dome' could save it." The Economic Times, 11 June 2025, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/trumps-45-million-birthday-parade-set-for-weather-hell-and-not-even-golden-dome-could-save-it/articleshow/121805536.cms.
Knorr-Evans, Maite. "No Kings protests vs Donald Trump’s military parade: Comparing the crowd sizes at each event." AS, 15 June 2025, https://en.as.com/latest_news/no-kings-vs-donald-trumps-military-parade-comparing-the-crowd-sizes-at-each-event-n/.
Marcus, Josh. "Trump’s team claims 250,000 supporters watched his military parade. ‘No Kings’ protests drew at least 4 million, experts say." Independent, 17 June 2025, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-no-kings-parade-attendance-numbers-b2770462.html.
Mayer, Chloe. "Elon Musk's Chatbot Questions Trump Team's Crowd Claims." Newsweek, 16 June 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-military-parade-crowd-size-audience-number-2086099.
No Kings. "About Us." Accessed September 11, 2025. https://www.nokings.org/about-nk/.
Painter, Grant. NO KINGS BOONE: Check-In (Responses). Hosted on Google Drive, 14 June 2025, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bbFq6LCS6S36GmwKziA_VsvyYqkaQUvW9hx-WPxND9s/edit?usp=sharing.
Rosenthal, Sophie. "Army officials estimate military parade on Trump's birthday expected will cost $45M, CBS reports." WUSA9, 16 May 2025, https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/politics/military-parade-trumps-birthday-cost-45-million-dollars/65-23dcc86c-5b35-4eba-9a8d-9bf39636fa86.
Rubin, April, and Rebecca Falconer. "'No Kings' anti-Trump protests attract millions, organizers say." Axios, 15 June 2025, https://www.axios.com/2025/06/14/no-kings-protests-usa-june-14-trump-military-parade.
Smith, David. "Tanks, flypasts, missiles: what to expect at Trump’s ‘dictator chic’ military parade." The Guardian, 13 June 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/13/trump-military-parade-washington.
Trump, Donald J. (@realDonaldTrump). "I am proud to announce that we will be hosting a magnificent Parade..." Truth Social, 23 May 2025, 3:25 p.m. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114558786117625961.
U.S. Constitution, amend. I.
Wei, Lydia, and Lindsey Byman. "The Latest on the June 14 Trump Military Parade in DC." Washingtonian, 21 May 2025, https://www.washingtonian.com/2025/05/21/the-latest-on-the-june-14-trump-military-parade-in-dc/.
Wise, Alana, et al. "3 takeaways from the military parade and No Kings protests on Trump's birthday." NPR, 15 June 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/06/15/nx-s1-5433765/3-takeaways-from-the-military-parade-and-no-kings-protests-on-trumps-birthday.