What A Day America Has No Kings
6 snips
Oct 17, 2025 
Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist known for her work on protest movements and democracy, joins to discuss the No Kings protests sweeping across America. She predicts a diverse turnout and emphasizes that these events are largely peaceful, debunking claims of violence and outside funding. Chenoweth also explores the threat of governmental crackdowns on dissent, particularly through targeting left-wing groups, and reaffirms the importance of First Amendment rights amidst rising tensions.
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No Kings Could Draw Unexpectedly Broad Crowds
- No Kings aims to replicate June's large mobilization and may draw even bigger crowds nationwide.
- Erica Chenoweth notes protests now appear in many Trump-won counties, showing surprising geographic reach.
Events Are Largely Peaceful
- The No Kings events have been overwhelmingly peaceful with almost no reported injuries or property damage.
- Chenoweth reports roughly 99.7% of events produced no significant violence or damage.
Framing Opponents As Criminal Undermines Rights
- The administration's rhetoric treats political opposition as criminal, a tactic common among aspiring authoritarians.
- Chenoweth warns this mischaracterization risks chilling lawful, First Amendment-protected assembly.