Seven million Americans defy Trump at No Kings rallies

Track protest participation rates by congressional district

Use data from the 50501 Movement and Indivisible websites (indivisible.org and 50501.us) to map which districts sent the most participants to the Oct. 18 rallies. Cross-reference this with 2024 Trump vote share by district. According to Harvard Kennedy School analysis, 2025 protests reached deeper into Trump-voting areas than during Trump's first term (2017-2021), suggesting shifting opinion or mobilization in unexpected places. Document this shift in your congressional representative's district.

Document media coverage differences by outlet

Compare how major outlets (Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post) reported or did not report the Oct. 18 No Kings rallies. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a 'hate America rally' while White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said 'Who cares?'—track whether and how these dismissals shaped cable news coverage. Compare coverage time to coverage of Trump campaign rallies of similar size. This reveals whether the media treats mass opposition protests differently than mass support protests.

Evaluate whether 3.5% mobilization theory is predictive

The 50501 Movement claims the 3.5% rule—that if 3.5% of the population mobilizes, significant political change occurs. The Oct. 18 protests drew an estimated 5 to 7 million people out of a U.S. population of roughly 335 million (1.5% to 2.1%). Yet conservative justices still proceeded with plans to curtail the Voting Rights Act (Louisiana v. Callais arguments occurred two days before the protests). Track whether the massive turnout changes voting patterns, electoral outcomes, or congressional voting behavior on key Trump initiatives over the next 90 days. Test whether 3.5% mobilization is achievable or whether the rule is aspirational.

Monitor National Guard deployments and protest deterrence

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Texas Governor Greg Abbott mobilized National Guard units ahead of the Oct. 18 protests. Watch whether Republican governors continue or expand this practice ahead of future planned demonstrations (track 50501 calendar at 50501.us). Document any incidents of National Guard confrontations with protesters or charges filed under riot statutes. Analyze whether visible military presence reduces future turnout—testing whether show-of-force deters participation in protected First Amendment activity.

Request congressional hearing on executive response to mass protest

Contact House and Senate Judiciary Committees and request they hold a hearing on the Trump administration's response to the Oct. 18 No Kings rallies. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a 'hate America rally'; the White House spokeswoman dismissed it; Republican governors mobilized National Guard units. Ask committees to examine (1) whether National Guard deployments to suppress protest activity are constitutional under the Posse Comitatus Act (18 U.S.C. § 1385), (2) whether the administration's dismissive rhetoric violates First Amendment principles, and (3) what the precedent is for executive branch responses to mass opposition.

Verify peaceful protest claims against police records

Organizers claimed Oct. 18 protests were 'largely peaceful' and Los Angeles reported only 14 arrests for blocking traffic. Review police department incident reports, arrest records, and body camera footage from major cities (available via public records requests to city police departments). Cross-check against videos posted to social media. Confirm whether police responses were proportionate to actual incidents or whether pretext arrests (blocking traffic) mask suppression of lawful assembly. Visit the ACLU's mass incarceration tracking site (aclu.org/mass-incarceration-data).