Over 100,000 protesters took to Seventh Avenue for the nationwide “No Kings” day march Saturday afternoon in condemnation of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts, cuts to healthcare and efforts to retaliate against critics.

As part of one of the largest coordinated protests in U.S. history — with 7 million people across more than 2,700 rallies — protesters gathered at Father Duffy Plaza around 11 a.m and marched down Seventh Avenue before dispersing at Union Square around three hours later. They held signs that read “TRUMP MUST GO” and “MELT ICE,” while chanting “No kings in America.” 

“I’ve seen people feel a little bit more despair and worry about the direction that this country is headed,” Alex Hackworth, an organizer at Unite NY, told WSN. “I’m also starting to feel a sense of civic renewal — so many people are more motivated than ever to try and make a change.”

Organizers encouraged those in attendance to wear yellow as a sign of peaceful resistance. The group was accompanied by volunteer marshals and hundreds of police officers lined the streets, however, no protest-related arrests were made.

Protesters at the front of the march held banners depicting Dylan Lopez Contreras, the first known New York City public school student detained by immigration authorities who has been held at a detention facility since June. ICE has reportedly deported at least 2 million immigrants since President Donald Trump took office, and nearly 60,000 immigrants are in detention as of late September. Around 71.5% of them have no criminal record, according to government data, despite Trump’s campaign promises to only target “vicious and bloodthirsty criminals.”

Demonstrations marked the 19th day of a government shutdown, with around 750,000 federal employees still furloughed. Tensions remain high as Democrats and Republicans struggle to meet quota on a bill that would extend the Affordable Care Act and reverse cuts to Medicaid programs. The bill, which would affect health care plans for millions of Americans, failed its 10th vote on Thursday and will receive another on Monday.

“I miss times where you can look to leadership and be inspired and not be pulled apart constantly,” Patrick Ward, a protester at the march, told WSN. 

Protests took place across all 50 U.S. states and in several major European cities, including London, Berlin and Madrid. Ahead of the demonstration, prominent right-wing politicians called the events “hate America” rallies and said they would be packed with “paid protesters.”

During the first “No Kings” protest in June, protesters demanded an end to Trump’s ongoing efforts to append higher education. The protest took place as Trump withheld nearly $3.2 billion in grants from Harvard University and barred it from hosting international students. In September, a judge ruled against the restrictions, and most of Harvard’s funding has since been restored. 

The Trump administration recently called on twelve universities to sign a 10-point contract, promising to ban diversity efforts in hiring, freeze tuition for five years, cap international undergraduate enrollment at 15% and require standardized tests for admission. Those who sign would receive “multiple benefits,” such as “substantial and meaningful federal grants.” Six universities have rejected the deal so far. 

“There’s people from everywhere — different backgrounds, different colors and ethnicities,” Ward said. “It’s just amazing that everyone’s coming together towards their opinion. It’s the most American thing to do.”

Contact Natalie Deoragh and Fiona Clifford-Fotopoulos at [email protected].