It wasn't exactly a typical Saturday in the River City. If you were anywhere near Broad Street or Capitol Square back in October 2025, you felt it. The air was different. Thousands of people—estimates ranged from 14,000 to nearly 20,000—packed into the heart of the city for the No Kings protest Richmond VA. It was loud, it was colorful, and honestly, it was a bit surreal.
Richmond has seen plenty of protests. We’re used to the energy. But this felt like something else. This wasn't just a local gripe about bike lanes or property taxes. This was part of a massive, 2,700-city national wave of "No Kings" rallies, all pushing back against what organizers called "authoritarian overreach" by the Trump administration.
Why the No Kings Protest Richmond VA Still Matters
You might be wondering why people are still talking about this. Basically, it’s because it was one of the largest public assemblies in Virginia since the 2020 social justice protests. People didn't just show up to yell; they showed up with a very specific set of fears.
Organizers like 50501 Virginia and RVA Indivisible were the ones steering the ship. They weren't just angry about one thing. It was a mix of everything: masked ICE raids, democratic backsliding, and the general feeling that the executive branch was trying to act more like a monarchy than a presidency.
The name "No Kings" wasn't an accident. It was a direct response to the administration’s rhetoric and even specific social media posts that depicted the president as a literal monarch. In a city like Richmond, where Patrick Henry once stood and yelled about liberty or death, that kind of imagery hits a little different.
The Scene at Capitol Square
People started gathering at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square around 1:00 PM. It was a weird mix of people. You had retirees like Kenny, an Air Force vet who told reporters he was genuinely scared for the future of democracy. Then you had younger activists from groups like Richmond Defensa and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL).
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The signs were everywhere. Some were standard political slogans, but others were more creative. You probably saw the "TAX THE RICH" letters spelled out in front of the Capitol. Some people even showed up in inflatable frog and chicken costumes—a tactic used to keep the mood light and prove they weren't the "violent radicals" the administration claimed they were.
The March to Monroe Park
By 2:00 PM, the crowd started moving. If you’ve ever walked Broad Street, you know it’s a long haul, but 20,000 people make it feel like a very short trip. The chants were constant: “No kings, no thrones!” and “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!”
One of the more intense moments involved the discussion of Renee Nicole Good. She was a Minneapolis woman (and ODU alum) killed during an ICE encounter earlier that year. Her death became a massive rallying cry for the Richmond crowd, especially given the increased ICE activity in Virginia.
"The fact that they can shoot anybody at anytime and then point their gun at the priest, that's what got me here." — Beth, a rally attendee.
Beth was referring to a specific incident in Chicago where a priest was hit with a pepper ball, but that sentiment of "it could be anyone" was all over the Richmond streets.
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The National Guard Tension
There was a lot of behind-the-scenes drama before the first person even showed up. Governor Glenn Youngkin actually mobilized the Virginia National Guard ahead of the event. Internal documents leaked to the press showed a "Quick Reaction Force" and a "Non-Lethal Weapons Platoon" were on standby.
The organizers dismissed the need for it. They insisted the event would be peaceful, and honestly, they were right. Despite the heavy rhetoric from DC—where Speaker Mike Johnson called the protests a "hate rally"—Richmond remained totally peaceful. No arrests. No property damage. Just a lot of people walking and talking.
What Happened at the Finish Line?
The march ended at VCU’s Monroe Park around 4:00 PM. But it didn't just fizzle out. The local rock band Dead Billionaires played a set that kept the energy high.
What was really interesting, though, were the chess tables. Scattered throughout the park, people were sitting down to play chess while others signed mock-impeachment petitions. It was a strange juxtaposition of high-stakes political anger and low-key community building.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Let's look at the stats, because the government and the organizers never agree on these things:
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- Organizers' Estimate: 20,000 people in Richmond.
- National Scale: Nearly 7 million people across the US.
- Locations: Over 2,700 cities and towns.
- Virginia Context: One of 60 rallies held across the Commonwealth, including Norfolk and Charlottesville.
Data journalists like G. Elliott Morris estimated that roughly 1.2% to 1.8% of the entire US population was in the streets that day. In Richmond, that translated to a sea of yellow attire (the chosen color for the "No Tyrants" movement internationally) stretching as far as you could see.
Misconceptions and the "Antifa" Label
In the days leading up to and after the protest, there was a lot of noise from the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed the protesters were "violent criminals" and "terrorists." Attorney General Pam Bondi even suggested the signs were "pre-bought" by shadowy organizations like Antifa.
If you were actually there, that's not what you saw. You saw school teachers, librarians, and grandmas. You saw the Richmond Education Association and the Prisoner's Rights Clinic. It was a massive coalition of regular Virginians who were just... tired.
The "No Kings" movement actually held virtual safety trainings with the ACLU weeks before the event to ensure nobody stepped out of line. They were obsessed with de-escalation because they knew any single act of violence would be used to discredit the whole movement.
Actionable Insights: What to Do Now
The No Kings protest Richmond VA wasn't just a one-off event; it was part of a larger strategy of "sustained resistance." If you're looking to stay involved or understand the fallout, here's what you should keep an eye on:
- Monitor ICE Activity: Local groups like Richmond Defensa are still holding "Know Your Rights" workshops as federal enforcement remains high.
- Follow the 50501 Movement: This group is the primary driver behind the "3.5% rule"—the idea that if 3.5% of the population stays active, the government has to listen.
- Local Elections Matter: While the national drama gets the headlines, the mobilization from these protests is already shifting focus to the 2026 and 2027 local Virginia cycles.
- Watch the Courts: Many of the issues raised during the protest—like the use of the National Guard and the legality of certain deportation tactics—are currently tied up in legal battles.
The Richmond rally proved that the city remains a flashpoint for American political discourse. It’s a place where history isn't just in the museums; it’s being argued over on the sidewalk every single day. Whether you agreed with the "No Kings" message or not, you can't deny the sheer scale of the organization it took to pull it off.
Stay informed by following local outlets like RVA Mag and The Commonwealth Times, which provided the most granular, boots-on-the-ground coverage of these events as they unfolded. The conversation about executive power in America isn't going away, and Richmond will likely be at the center of the next chapter.