As U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to mark the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary with a military parade in Washington, celebrities across Hollywood have taken to the streets in cities from Los Angeles to New York, standing alongside thousands of Americans in the “No Kings” protests. The rallies, timed to fall on Trump’s birthday, target what demonstrators describe as his authoritarian ambitions and attacks on democracy.
In Los Angeles, actors, musicians, and comedians marched with signs and shared their message online. The White Lotus star Natasha Rothwell posted a photo of herself holding a sign reading “You are trash,” with the blunt caption: “NO KINGS.” Julia Louis-Dreyfus joined the outcry, sharing an image of her sign: “The only monarch I like is a butterfly.” Her post was tagged simply, “#nokings.”
Singer Olivia Rodrigo added her voice, posting a photo of a protest sign with a crossed-out crown and the words “in our USA.” Meanwhile, That’s So True artist Gracie Abrams documented the scene on Instagram Stories, sharing shots of crowds with slogans like “Free speech is not an insurrection” and a quote from Desmond Tutu: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
In New York City, actor Mark Ruffalo was clear about why he stood in the rain alongside thousands. “Because we see our democracy is in real trouble,” Ruffalo told MSNBC. “We see a president who has made himself a king and dictator, and we don’t see an opposition that’s powerful enough to stand up against the trampling of our rights and the trampling of the Constitution.”
Ruffalo criticised Trump’s executive orders and his administration’s immigration policies, calling out the separation of families and defiance of court orders. “We’re disgusted and we’re scared, and we know that the only way to fight this now is for the people to come together,” he said.
In San Francisco, comedian Jimmy Kimmel marched with his parents. “A huge, inspiring and yes — peaceful — turnout in the South Bay,” Kimmel posted. “I met many people who love this country and still believe it to be a force for good. The most important words ever spoken are ‘Love one another.’ It really is as simple as that.”
Elsewhere, celebrities like Moby urged unity and action. Sharing protest footage, the musician wrote: “No kings. We need to do everything we can to protect democracy: protest, donate, post, run for office, vote, organize. Also now is absolutely not the time for any in-fighting.”
Los Angeles saw crowds filling downtown streets, with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Mary Elizabeth Ellis summing up the mood: “Felt great to peacefully protest this administration in the streets today with fellow Los Angelenos. #LA always shows up.”
Published – June 15, 2025 10:52 am IST