Robert De Niro encourages people in the United States to join “No Kings” protests against the US President Donald Trumphappening across America on October 18th.
In a video posted to Instagram, De Niro, 82, spoke about the “original No Kings protest” that took place 250 years ago.
“The Americans decided they did not want to live under the rule of King George III. They declared their independence and began a bloody war for democracy,” De Niro said. “We've had two and a half centuries of democracy since then. It's often difficult, sometimes messy, but always necessary. And we've fought two world wars to preserve it.”
“Now we have a potential king who wants to take it – King Donald the First. That's it,” the Oscar winner continued. “We rise again, this time nonviolently, raising our voices and declaring 'No to the King.'”
“I Robert De Niro ask you to stand up and take part in the nationwide No Kings protest on October 18th,” the actor concluded. “We are all together – indivisible, with freedom and justice for all.”
“No Kings” protests first took place this year in hundreds of American cities on June 14 during a military parade in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which coincided with Trump's birthday.
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The protests were held to counter what organizers said were Trump's plans to stroke his ego on his 79th birthday (which was also Flag Day). The “No Kings” theme was organized by the 50501 Movement, which advocates for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement and is made up of members of the American public who say they stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration.
Protesters are calling to “overthrow Trump,” comparing his actions to those of a king rather than a democratically elected president.
“They have defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared from the streets, attacked our civil rights and cut our services,” the group says. on your websitereferring to the Trump administration and its policies. “They did all this while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.”
Stephen Colbert also urged people to join the protests in Tuesday's episode The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
“In response to these clear abuses of authoritarian power by this administration, this weekend, ladies and gentlemen, there will be 2,500 'No Kings' rallies across the United States,” Colbert said before cutting to a video of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives. Mike Johnson calling the protests a “hate rally for America.”
“Do you hate America? This is “No Kings”. America doesn't like kings. There are only three good kings in America: Gale (King), Stephen (King) and Burger (King),” he added.
Coalition “No Kings” replied to Johnson's comments, calling the protest a “hate rally for America” and blaming it for the “ongoing government shutdown.”
“Speaker Johnson is running out of excuses to shut down the government. Instead of reopening the government, preserving affordable health care, or lowering costs for working families, he is attacking the millions of Americans who peacefully come together to say America belongs to its people, not kings,” the group said, adding that they will “see everyone on October 18th.”
— With files from The Associated Press
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