Olivia Rodrigo is done being quiet. The three-time Grammy-winning artist and proud Angeleno broke her silence Friday night amid nationwide protests against ICE deportations and the latest wave of authoritarian crackdowns coming from the Trump administration.
“I’ve lived in LA my whole life, and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration,” Rodrigo posted to her Instagram story in bold white text on a black background. “LA simply wouldn’t exist without immigrants. Treating hardworking community members with such little respect, empathy, and due process is awful. I stand with the beautiful, diverse community of Los Angeles and with immigrants all across America. I stand for our right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest.”
Moments later, she shared a second story. No caption. Just a picture of a crowd of protestors carrying signs that read “NO KINGS in our USA.” The moment went instantly viral, with fans hailing Rodrigo’s public stance as both necessary and overdue.
And what she’s joined is far from a typical protest. It’s a movement.
The Rise of the “No Kings” Movement: A Nationwide Rebellion
Behind the Instagram stories and viral posts is a national mobilization called 50501. A grassroots movement that has taken over the country with its now-infamous “No Kings” theme. The name represents 50 states, 50 protests, and one movement, and it’s louder, larger, and angrier than anything America has seen in recent memory.
Their message? America is not a monarchy. And Donald Trump is not a king.
The organization behind the movement has accused the Trump administration and his former billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who previously led the Department of Government Efficiency, of gutting democracy in favor of corporate greed, mass deportations, civil rights rollbacks, and militarized nationalism.
“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,” the group’s website states. “They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.”
The culmination of this dissent is the No Kings Day of Defiance, a sprawling, fiery protest set to unfold in nearly 2,000 cities and towns across all 50 states on June 14, which notably marks Trump’s 79th birthday, Flag Day, and the controversial 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
It’s no accident. Trump’s birthday bash, now rebranded into a multi-million dollar military parade in Washington, D.C., is seen by critics as the pinnacle of his descent into “militarized spectacle and king-like vanity,” in the words of one No Kings organizer.
In sharp contrast, No Kings will stage its flagship rally in Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy, with thousands expected to gather for speeches, marches, and acts of peaceful resistance.
“The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump,” reads a statement from the group. “It belongs to us. On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”
Deportations Spark Outrage, ICE Raids Called “Ethnic Cleansing”
Rodrigo’s post didn’t happen in a vacuum. It came as videos circulated online showing ICE agents tearing people from their homes in the early morning hours across Los Angeles and other major cities, with activists claiming that due process has been thrown completely out the window.
Neighborhoods in Boyle Heights, Echo Park, Koreatown, and Inglewood have all reported ICE sweeps. Protesters described the raids as “ethnic cleansing disguised as law enforcement,” with families forcibly separated, children detained, and undocumented residents reportedly denied legal counsel.
And Rodrigo is not the only public figure reacting. Fellow artists, actors, and athletes have begun speaking out in waves, signaling what some are calling a celebrity-driven inflection point in the national immigration debate.
Her decision to not only post but physically show up at the protests carries added weight in an industry that has often been accused of performative allyship. In Rodrigo’s case, it’s more than just a square on a feed. She’s literally in the streets.
How Big Will This Get?
Organizers claim this will be the largest single-day protest since Trump returned to office. Yes, it’s bigger than the 2024 Roe v. Wade reversal marches. Bigger than the climate protests. Possibly even on par with the Women’s March of 2017.
According to a spokesperson from 50501, they’ve planned protests for small towns, major metros, courthouse steps, university campuses, and suburban community parks. Notably, Washington, D.C., will be quiet, a deliberate strategy meant to redirect all national attention away from Trump’s lavish parade and toward the decentralized, people-powered fight happening everywhere else.
And while the mood is urgent, the tone is deeply principled. Organizers emphasize that all events are strictly nonviolent. Participants are asked to carry signs, American flags, and water, but no weapons of any kind. They also advise attendees to review Know Your Rights materials, which Rodrigo shared on her Instagram.
