Thousands take part in ‘No Kings' protest in Center City on Saturday

An estimated 15,000 people attended Saturday’s “No Kings” protest in Philly to criticize what they say are authoritarian actions by President Donald Trump’s administration.

NBC10 was on the ground and overhead to capture the large crowd as it marched down Market Street from City Hall to Independence Mall.

The “No Kings” theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of Americans who oppose what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

According to organizers, around 7 million people participated in “No Kings” demonstrations nationwide.

“We are losing our democracy every day with every move that he makes,” said Matt Harker of Indivisible Philadelphia. “We have to fight back. America has a long history of protest and we are exercising our first amendment rights.”

The march was peaceful, with police on hand as well.

Chris Lewis, who was at the protest, said he was there to defend democracy.

“That this remains a democracy, people have the right to speak, people have the right to express themselves and we need change,” Lewis said.

At Independence Mall, politicians and other speakers spoke at a rally following the march.

“It’s a peaceful well-organized, high energy, devoted people to political change in a peaceful, powerful way,” one demonstrator said.

Organizers of the “No Kings” event also organized a similar protest in June, and they say they have more planned in the future.

NBC10 reached out to the White House for comment and they gave a two word response: “Who cares.”

Roads are now reopened following the protest and crews are working to clean things up.

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