On March 28, Midtown Manhattan in New York turned into a sea of people. Organizers said the demonstrations may represent one of the largest coordinated protest efforts in recent years. Actor Robert De Niro, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Rev. Al Sharpton led the way, starting at Columbus Circle and heading down 7th Avenue all the way to Herald Square.
The Manhattan event was just one of more than 3,200 protests held across all 50 states on Saturday. Organizers say about 9 million people joined in nationwide, making it the biggest single-day protest in American history. The NYPD said the march in New York ended peacefully, without a single arrest.
The No Kings movement got started in June 2025, pulling in about 5 million people for its first protest. Then came 7 million in October. Organizers reported that turnout increased compared to previous events held earlier in the year.
As for the video that has been making the rounds, New York State Senator Erik Bottcher shared footage showing De Niro, Sharpton, and James at the very front. The crowd stretched for more than 10 blocks, and they marched behind hand-painted banners that read “No ICE,” “No Kings,” and “No War.” TV host Padma Lakshmi and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams walked up front, too.
Before the march began, De Niro spoke to the crowd, calling it a “great rallying cry” and saying the turnout was “hugely successful.”
“When the crowds are chanting ‘No Kings,’ what I’m really hearing is ‘No Trump,’” he said. “He must be stopped, and he must be stopped now.”
Internet Reacts to Robert De Niro Leading New York’s No Kings March
Reactions online reflected the deeply divided nature of the moment. Some viewers expressed support for the demonstration, with one commenter writing, “This is what democracy looks like.” Others reacted more lightheartedly, with one saying, “I knew he was a good fella.”
Some viewers were more skeptical of the event and the individuals involved. One commenter questioned the motivations behind the appearance, while another noted the contrast between public figures leading protests and their personal circumstances.
Those who supported De Niro’s involvement kept their reactions simple, with one writing, “Always liked him as an actor — I like him even more now as a person.”
Not all responses were supportive, as one critic wrote, “If this doesn’t show how fake these protests are, nothing will.”
So why are all eyes on New York? Some of the country’s best-known faces were at the front of a march that could be the biggest single-day protest ever. And the image of tens of thousands flooding Midtown from block to block is now a defining moment for No Kings Day 3.
Nine million Americans marched across every state, but the Manhattan march, led by De Niro, James, and Sharpton, stole the spotlight.
The video continues to circulate online as viewers share their reactions to the demonstration.
