This weekend's No Kings demonstrations drew an estimated crowd of millions across the US to protest President Donald Trump's policies and his willingness to push the boundaries of presidential authority.
It was a moment for likeminded Democrats, liberals, and some anti-Trump Republicans to rally together at a time when the American left has little formal power in national politics. But where do they go from here?
By most accounts, the turnout at Saturday's events - in major US cities like Chicago, New York, Washington, and Los Angeles, as well as hundreds of smaller towns – was higher than expected and surpassed the first No Kings rally in June.
Congressional Republicans had warned that the demonstrations would be anti-American, and some conservative governors had put their law enforcement and National Guard on alert in case of violence.
However, the massive rallies turned out to be peaceful – a carnival, not carnage. In New York City, there were no protest-related arrests, and the gathering in Washington DC featured families and young children.
Today all across America in numbers that may eclipse any day of protest in our nation's history, Americans are saying loudly and proudly that we are a free people, we are not a people that can be ruled, our government is not for sale, Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said in his speech to the Washington DC rally.
Just down the street, the White House responded to the protests with derision, with Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson dismissing the concerns raised by the demonstrators.
Despite this, the scale of the turnout – along with Trump's net negative approval rating in major opinion polls – hints at a Democratic opportunity to rebound from last year's electoral defeats. However, the party still has a long way to go.
Polls suggest only a third of Americans view it favourably, the lowest for decades, and Democrats are divided over how to mount an effective opposition to Trump while lacking control of Congress.
Frustrations among protesters were directed not just at Trump but at Democratic leaders as well. Attendees expressed a desire for stronger opposition strategy, saying, the high road doesn't work.
While Democrats have been confrontational during the ongoing government shutdown, which is nearing its fourth week, the public still seems to hold both Trump and the Republican majority to account for the impasse.
As the government shutdown continues, attention turns to upcoming elections in November, which could serve as a test for whether the anti-Trump sentiment translates into electoral success for Democrats. The urgency of mobilization remains high, with calls for action resonating strongly, particularly to guide the path forward as midterm elections loom.
