Mark Ruffalo, Kerry Washington Lead Star-Studded ‘No Kings’ Protests for Democracy!

High-profile figures such as Mark Ruffalo, Jimmy Kimmel, and Kerry Washington are showing their support for the “No Kings” demonstrations taking place nationwide. These protests are in response to what many see as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian tendencies.

These celebrities are among the thousands who have gathered in various cities such as New York, Austin, and Los Angeles. Los Angeles has notably become a focal point for the current conflict between the public and federal policies, evidenced by Trump’s controversial decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines without the consent of state authorities, in response to the public’s strong opposition to the intensified ICE raids.

Speaking to MSNBC, Ruffalo, who protested in New York City alongside Susan Sarandon, expressed his concerns: “Our democracy is in serious peril. We’re witnessing a president who behaves like a monarch and dictator, without a strong opposition to counteract the ongoing violation of our rights and the Constitution. This happens daily through executive orders, ignoring court orders, and the inhumane treatment of immigrants, including legal ones and their families. We are appalled and frightened, and we recognize that unity among the people is our strongest tool against these abuses.”

Ruffalo continued, “This president disregards the principles established by our Founding Fathers. The separation of the military from the Executive Branch was intended to prevent the kinds of abuses seen in dictatorships, where the military is used against the people. This is already occurring in California, signaling to Americans that the Constitution is being disregarded and disrespecting our military personnel and our national history of opposing fascism and dictatorship globally.”

“The focus is misdirected—it’s not the immigrants who are the problem, nor is there a scarcity of resources in this country; rather, it’s a handful of immensely wealthy and powerful individuals hoarding wealth. This movement represents a reimagining of America and a restoration of our democratic values,” added Ruffalo.

Ruffalo also commented on Sen. Alex Padilla’s (D-CA) ejection from a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after he inquired about the widespread detention of immigrants. He remarked, “This is a sign of a slide toward dictatorship. Such actions are bound to increase. This administration will continue to overstep its bounds, and our response will be steadfast. We are here because we cherish this nation and each other, even braving the rain to stand up for our values and the people who have built this country. Unless you’re Native American or Mexican, your roots here began with immigration.”

At a rally in Santa Monica, Washington was seen holding signs with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, one of which humorously stated, “The only Monarch I like is a butterfly.” She also spotlighted other signs, such as “Keep ICE in my drinks, not my streets.”

Glenn Close voiced her support on Instagram from a large protest in Bozeman, Mont. She shared her disturbance and outrage over the violence that erupted during what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration, particularly the politically motivated shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers, resulting in one death. She stressed that the protest was about a peaceful, unified stand by millions against the tyranny of a would-be monarch and his manipulative backers.

In another post, Close highlighted various protest signs, including critical messages about presidential misdeeds and national priorities, such as healthcare funding.

Marisa Tomei and Dan Bucatinsky were spotted at the West Hollywood rally, with Bucatinsky commenting online about the essence of democracy being demonstrated.

Ayo Edebiri and Patti Harrison also participated, displaying messages of support and defiance, including blunt criticisms of ICE and Trump.

Jimmy Kimmel, participating in a South Bay rally with his parents, reflected on Instagram about the powerful, peaceful turnout and the foundational American value of loving one another, which was evident at the rally.

Mary Elizabeth Ellis, at the Los Angeles protest, shared content from the event, where attendees vocally opposed ICE’s presence and actions, echoing sentiments of resistance against fascism and unwelcome federal interventions in city affairs. Her posts included powerful rallying cries like “Whose streets? Our streets.”

Nadya Tolokonnikova’s group, Pussy Riot, known for their bold feminist and artistic expressions, joined the protest with a striking banner comparing the current U.S. political climate to Russia.

Insecure and The White Lotus‘s Natasha Rothwell, a vocal critic of Trump on social media, was seen with a straightforward message: “You are trash.”