Nearly 20,000 Milwaukeeans poured into Cathedral Square Saturday morning for the second No Kings demonstration this year. The scene was akin to a summer street festival, tents and tables lining the perimeter of the park, live music echoing down the corridors of the Lower East Side, and a dense crowd cheering in solidarity.
In advance of the thousands of nationwide No Kings protests, House Speaker Mike Johnson decried the event as a “Hate America Rally.” The No Kings coalition, along with protesters and organizers across the country, retorted that they protested for love of country and democracy.
Protesters displayed creative signage denouncing a myriad of authoritarian overreaches at the federal level, from attacks on environmental protections, to scapegoating of queer and trans people, to eradication of reproductive autonomy. Many signs called for the release of the Epstein files and likened rampant ICE abductions and the militarization of U.S. cities (with emphasis on our neighbor, Chicago) to the crimes of Nazi Germany. Attendees flew Palestinian, Ukrainian, Mexican and LGBTQ+ pride flags, as well the American flag—in most cases, upside-down. Some donned inflatable costumes in a nod to protests in Portland, OR. One attendee in a shark costume explained that the costumes brought levity to a serious cause.
Protesters wear inflatable costumes for the No Kings demonstration in Milwaukee on Oct. 18, 2025
The Organizers
Local non-profit organizers remarked on the diversity of issues at hand. “This event is so effective because it is so intersectional,” said Stephanie with Milwaukee4Palestine. She and her co-tabler, Bryan with Wisconsin Bail Out The People Movement, emphasized that the recent ceasefire in Gaza does not mean the humanitarian work ends. “The attacks on our people are unacceptable.” The ACLU handed out Know Your Rights guides for navigating protests and police encounters. Kwesi with the ACLU was happy with the large turnout, “not succumbing to the weight of this all.” Kate tabled with MSOE’s Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter to raise awareness regarding 310 East Knapp St., an MSOE building leased to ICE as a holding facility. “The school doesn’t seem to care that students don’t want this.”
Voces de la Frontera hosts a screenprinting booth for protesters to make prints at the No Kings demonstration in Milwaukee on Oct. 18, 2025
Christine Neumann-Ortiz with Voces de la Frontera stated that their priority was to invite community members to continue building out state-wide support for Latine immigrants and workers. She expressed hope that the event would help shift public opinion on human rights abuses by the Trump administration. Voces also distributed banners reading “ABCDEFUND ICE” screen-printed on site.
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The Stage
Earl Ingram of Civic Media emceed, with musical performances by Wave Chapelle and Dak DuBois. Ingram stated, “I thought the victories of the past that gave us freedoms…would remain unchanged. I’ve since come to find that those freedoms must be fought for by every generation.” Alan Chavoya of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization led the crowd in chants. “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here!”
Members of the Fighting Oligarchy Coalition spoke out against corporate greed and surveillance. Maggie Daun of Civic Media delivered fiery remarks. “Let’s be clear. There is no lawlessness, violence, or mayhem [today], except for that which is being directed out of the Oval Office. No more!” No Kings organizers and The Raging Grannies presented a skit mocking Trump’s buffoonery…