Over the weekend, hundred of thousands of people all across the country came together for No Kings Day, a nationwide protest pushing back against President Donald Trump and his contentious policies. Thankfully, some of our favorite Black celebs were using their voices too!
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From D.C. to L.A., people like Kerry Washington, Natasha Rothwell, rapper Ice T and more decided to get on their respective platforms to stand in solidarity with protestors and their calls for justice and against dictatorship and authoritarianism. While all of them weren’t there in person, that didn’t stop them from raising awareness about the event and making sure more people were civically engaged in the fight.
While everyday Black folks were mixed on whether or not this was something we should really be partaking in, we rounded up a handful of the famous faces who decided to their part anyhow.
Keep reading to see the who’s who!
What Is No Kings Day?
Before we get into who all the celebs were, let’s talk a little bit about this event in the first place. For those who may not know, “No Kings Day” is a newer, nationwide peaceful protest put on by the No Kings organization in an effort to unite citizens and supporters to fight dictatorship in America. The first protest was held earlier this year in June during Trump’s birthday parade and saw widespread turnout.
The second, which took place on Oct. 18, saw over seven million people across all 50 states come out to push back against the current political regime.
Why No Kings Day Is Important
No Kings Day protests matter because it’s just one more way for people to use their voice and speak out on the issues they have with the government. It’s also a way for everyday people to collectively push back on the myriad policies, legislation and other decisions spearheaded by Trump and those who work under him. The protest is a loud way of saying “no” to fascism, authoritarianism, and dictatorship in the United States.
How Black America Feels About No Kings Day
As we previously told you, despite the handful of influential Black people who either showed up or spoke out in support of this event, for a large part of regular Black folks–they felt this movement was one they were going to sit out on.
Take, for example, TikTok user Mo La’Shaye who recently said of No Kings Day: “Listen, I’m down for the cause–but within these four walls of this apartment. And don’t get me wrong, I’m down for whatever, OK? But when it was time for me to go out there in that field, I was out there back in November.”
She continued by saying that people ought to use their voice in whatever way feels right for them, but she would no be partaking. Unsurprisingly, her sentiments were also echoed by other Black folks across the country, too (though there were a few who were in support of it).
But that’s for you to read about later! Right now, let’s get into our Black celeb faves who popped out at the No Kings Day protests or lent their voices to the cause!
Spike Lee
While it’s unclear if Spike Lee was actually there in person, he posted a picture on Instagram of a Black protester in Times Square in New York City. The unidentified man held a sign of a cartoon drawing of Trump’s recent TIME Magazine cover that read “Time to go.”
In the caption, Lee wrote: “GET UP STAND UP. YA-DIG❓SHO-NUFF.”
Natasha Rothwell
In a very on-brand post to her official X/Twitter page, “White Lotus” and “Insecure” star pulled up the No Kings Day protests in Los Angeles holding a sign that quoted her years-long viral posts: “Trump you are trash.”
Kerry Washington
Also at the Los Angeles protest was “Scandal” star Kerry Washington who posted a series of photos and video on her official Instagram page. She attended the event with two other women and captioned in her post: “Sending so much love and gratitude to everyone who showed out for #NoKings today!”
US Rep Jasmine Crockett
Down in Houston, U.S. representative Jasmine Crockett pulled up and gave a short speech to empower the folks there. She also took shots at Trump, referencing him as the “little turd in charge” and saying that he was “wreaking havoc on this country.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris
You already know former Vice President Kamala Harris was going to speak out in support of No Kings Day. In a short video to her official social media pages, she encouraged Americans to use their power to peacefully protest and express their voices in the “country we believe in.”
Ice T
In yet another completely on-brand and super hilarious post, rapper Ice T kept it all the way real and to the point with his support for the event, writing in a post to his X/Twitter page: “No Fn KINGS.”
Don Lemon
Don Lemon made sure to have his team of reporters out at different No Kings Day protests and provided live coverage from various cities. He also brought on people like Joy-Ann Reid, D.L. Hughley and more to come on his show and talk about all the things going on. He and his team also did a plethora of street interviewers with protesters explaining their why for attending and if what they’re doing really mattered.
Lee Daniels
“Empire” creator Lee Daniels may not have physically been at the protest, but it was clearly top of mind for him while he was out and about over the weekend. In a video posted to Instagram, he said bluntly: “No king. No king. I don’t want a king, you don’t want a king, America doesn’t want a king. No king.”
W. Kamau Bell
Comedian W. Kamau Bell pushed back on those who took issue with people protesting, explaining that while it’s not the thing that’s going to bring about immediate change, it’s still a good way for people to get involved and do their part.
“Go, don’t go. You don’t got to do that, but people are going ’cause they want to do something,” Bell said. “While yes, nothing’s gonna change tomorrow at the No Kings protest, it’s an opportunity for people to build , connect, scan QR codes, learn about local organizations in their community if they can help. Because right now, the president is attacking all of us under his fascistic, authoritarian, kleptocratic, kakistocracy.”
Jessie Woo
Social media influencer Jessie Woo used her platform to educate her thousands and thousands of followers about the No Kings Day events and even teamed up with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) labor union to further amplify the message.
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