Amidst a vibrant atmosphere that felt more like a festive gathering, demonstrators held signs declaring “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” and “Resist Fascism.”

The events featured lively marching bands, an enormous banner displaying the preamble “We The People” from the U.S. Constitution for attendees to sign, and protesters dressed as frogs—an emblem of resistance in Portland, Oregon.

This marks the third major protest since Trump’s return to the White House. It occurs during a government shutdown that has halted federal services and programs, challenging the core power dynamics as a forceful executive engages with Congress and the judiciary. Organizers caution this could be a step toward American authoritarianism.

Meanwhile, Trump is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

In a Fox News interview aired early Friday before attending a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser at his club, Trump remarked, “They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.”

Protests were anticipated to take place in the vicinity.

Nationwide protests planned

Demonstrators packed New York City’s Times Square, Boston Common, Chicago’s Grant Park and hundreds of smaller public spaces.

More than 2600 rallies were planned for today local time, organisers said.

Many protesters were angered by attacks on their motives.

In Washington, Brian Reymann said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was “pathetic.”

“This is America. I disagree with their politics, but I don’t believe that they don’t love this country,” Reymann said, carrying a large American flag.

“I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry.”

More than 1500 people gathered in Birmingham, Alabama, evoking and openly citing the city’s history of protests and the critical role it played in the US Civil Rights Movement two generations ago.

“It just feels like we’re living in an America that I don’t recognise,” said Jessica Yother, a mother of four.

She and other protesters said they felt camaraderie by gathering in a state where Trump won nearly 65 per cent of the vote last November.

“It was so encouraging,” Yother said. “I walked in and thought, ‘Here are my people.’”

Organisers hope to build opposition movement

“Big rallies like this give confidence to people who have been sitting on the sidelines but are ready to speak up,” Democratic US Senator Chris Murphy said in an interview with The Associated Press.

While protests earlier this year – against Elon Musk’s cuts and Trump’s military parade – drew crowds, organisers say this one is uniting the opposition.

Top Democrats such as Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders are joining what organisers view as an antidote to Trump’s actions, from the administration’s clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

“We’re here because we love America,” Sanders said, addressing the crowd from a stage in Washington.

He said the American experiment is “in danger” but insisted “We the people will rule.”

The national march against Trump and Musk had 1300 registered locations, while the first “No Kings” day in June registered 2100 locations.

Republicans denounce ‘Hate America’ rallies

Republicans have sought to portray the protesters as far outside the mainstream and a prime reason for the government shutdown, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill, GOP leaders disparaged the rallygoers as “communists” and “Marxists.”

They say Democratic leaders, including Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.

“I encourage you to watch – we call it the Hate America rally – that will happen Saturday,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

“Let’s see who shows up for that,” Johnson said, listing groups including “antifa types,” people who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.”

Many demonstrators say they’re responding to such hyperbole with silliness in part because Trump leans heavily on theatrics – like claiming cities he sends troops to are war zones – said Glen Kalbaugh, a Washington protester.

“So much of what we’ve seen from this administration has been so unserious and silly that we have to respond with the same energy,” said Kalbaugh, who wore a wizard hat and held a sign with a frog on it.

Democrats try to regain their footing

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care.

Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the US system as a co-equal branch of government.

The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent.

Schumer in particular was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.

“What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine,” said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, a key organising group.

“The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”