FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2025
RECORD-BREAKING “NO KINGS DAY” SEES WASHINGTONIANS RISE TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY:
From Spokane to Long Beach, 182,000+ Washingtonians Rally Against Authoritarian Overreach
SEATTLE, WA — Washington State made history on October 18 as communities across the state joined the national No Kings Day of action, standing up against growing authoritarianism and political overreach.
While the massive rally at Seattle Center drew 90,000 participants, (an increase of 20,000, or 29% from the record breaking June No Kings march), the most striking story was told in towns and counties across the state — from Spokane to Long Beach, Quilcene to Vancouver — where 118 local “No Kings” events drew tens of thousands of residents into the streets.
According to data collected from local organizers of just 40 of those 118 statewide protests, using verified photos, local media, and on-the-ground reporting, 92,000+ Washingtonians participated in No Kings protests on October 18 in addition to those gathered at Seattle Center. The largest were in Spokane 10,000, Bellingham 9000, Olympia 8200, Issaquah 7000, Tacoma 5000, Redmond 5000, Everett 4000 — bringing statewide turnout to well over 182,000 participants, more than double that of Seattle Center alone.
“This wasn’t just a big-city event,” said Kathleen Carson of Seattle Indivisible. “From Monroe to Port Angeles, from Kent to Yakima, ordinary Americans showed up to say: we’re done with power grabs and fear tactics. Democracy belongs to the people — not to kings.”
COMMUNITIES LEAD THE WAY
Organizers say the surge of activity outside Seattle is a sign of deeper grassroots awakening. In King County alone, beyond the Seattle Center march, about 32,000 people joined neighborhood events — a record level of decentralized civic mobilization. Outside of King County—Washington State’s most populous county—small towns saw large increases in
participation from the June 14th No Kings event. Milton, for example, saw 400 people protest on Saturday, nearly 3 times the 140 who came out on June 14.
“The surge in local protest turnout across the state is a clear signal of a rising people’s movement,” said Tyna Ek, an organizer and press coordinator with the No Kings Seattle coalition. “It tells us that people in every corner of Washington are ready to defend democracy — not as spectators, but as participants.”
A STATE UNITED
From freeway overpass signs and downtown marches to park rallies and senior-led sign waving outside of nursing homes, the statewide No Kings events shared one message:
No one is above the law. No leader is a king.
The events echoed the core demands of the No Kings movement:
End abuses of executive power
Protect free speech, the right to protest, and a free press
Reject efforts to divide communities through fear and disinformation
Restore faith in democratic institutions and fair elections
A GROWING MOVEMENT
Washington’s turnout reflects a nationwide surge in civic participation, with more than 2,600 No Kings events held across all 50 states. Organizers say the growing movement demonstrates that Americans — from large cities to small towns — are deeply worried about the future of democracy and inspired to act.
“This is what democracy looks like,” said Girmay Zahilay, King County Council Chair, speaking at the Seattle rally. “And it looks like every corner of our state rising together.”
Seattle No Kings
