‘No Kings’ protest in Downtown Austin draws more than 20,000 to Texas Capitol, Auditorium Shores

On Saturday, October 18, 2025, thousands of people gathered in Austin for the “No Kings 2” protest against the Trump administration

. The demonstration, organized by the Hands Off Central TX coalition, was part of a nationwide series of protests opposing authoritarianism.

Key details of the protest:

Locations: The event began at the Texas State Capitol before protesters marched down Congress Avenue to Auditorium Shores.
Estimated attendance: While some reports indicate an estimate of more than 20,000 attendees, other sources suggest the crowd was larger, possibly reaching 30,000.
Key events: The rally featured speakers, including Congressman Greg Casar, and was followed by a march. At Auditorium Shores, participants engaged with community organizations in “democracy villages” that highlighted issues such as immigration, labor, the environment, and healthcare.
Peaceful demonstration: The protest remained largely peaceful, and officials reported no arrests.
National Guard deployment: Ahead of the event, Governor Greg Abbott deployed the Texas National Guard, citing an “antifa-linked demonstration”. However, reports indicated the Guard was not visible on the streets of Austin.
Wider movement: The Austin event was one of over 2,500 demonstrations that took place across the country

‘No Kings’ protest in Downtown Austin draws more than 20,000 to Texas Capitol, Auditorium Shores

On Saturday, October 18, 2025, thousands of people gathered in Austin for the “No Kings 2” protest against the Trump administration

. The demonstration, organized by the Hands Off Central TX coalition, was part of a nationwide series of protests opposing authoritarianism.

Key details of the protest:

Locations: The event began at the Texas State Capitol before protesters marched down Congress Avenue to Auditorium Shores.
Estimated attendance: While some reports indicate an estimate of more than 20,000 attendees, other sources suggest the crowd was larger, possibly reaching 30,000.
Key events: The rally featured speakers, including Congressman Greg Casar, and was followed by a march. At Auditorium Shores, participants engaged with community organizations in “democracy villages” that highlighted issues such as immigration, labor, the environment, and healthcare.
Peaceful demonstration: The protest remained largely peaceful, and officials reported no arrests.
National Guard deployment: Ahead of the event, Governor Greg Abbott deployed the Texas National Guard, citing an “antifa-linked demonstration”. However, reports indicated the Guard was not visible on the streets of Austin.
Wider movement: The Austin event was one of over 2,500 demonstrations that took place across the country on the same day.

Austin Protests: Thousands Rally Against Trump AdministrationOn Saturday, thousands of Texans gathered for the No Kings rally and it was part of a nationwide day of demonstrations there to pr…

What was the reaction to Governor Abbott deploying the National Guard?

Governor Greg Abbott’s deployment of the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety (DPS) ahead of the “No Kings 2” protest in Austin drew sharp condemnation from protest organizers and Democratic leaders

. Critics argued that the move was an overreaction designed to intimidate peaceful protesters, while Abbott and his supporters maintained it was a necessary measure to prevent violence.

Criticism of the deployment

Intimidation tactic: Sophia Mirto, an organizer with Hands Off Central Texas, stated the deployment was intended to incite violence and scare people away from the protest, which was exercising First Amendment rights.
Dictatorial and authoritarian comparisons: Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu said sending soldiers to “suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do”. Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder accused Abbott of using an “authoritarian playbook” to intimidate protesters.
Mischaracterization of protesters: Critics pushed back against Abbott’s labeling of the event as “antifa-linked,” arguing it was a deliberate and inflammatory tactic. Mirto noted that anti-fascism is an idea, not a violent organization.
Misuse of taxpayer money: Organizers voiced disappointment that the state was spending Texans’ tax money on policing a peaceful event instead of addressing needs like housing, healthcare, and education.
Escalation of tensions: Some feared that deploying military-like forces could escalate tensions and provoke conflict where there would otherwise be none.

Defense of the deployment

Threat prevention: Abbott’s office maintained the deployment was necessary to protect residents and property from potential violence, referencing the alleged “antifa-linked” nature of the demonstration. The governor cited the possibility of “criminal mischief” and “acts of violence”.
Controlling potential chaos: In a post on X, Abbott stated that Texas would “NOT tolerate chaos” and that anyone destroying property or committing violence would be arrested.
Ensuring law and order: An official statement from the governor’s office said the measures were in place to “maintain law and order” and deter criminal activity.

The outcome

In the end, the protest, which drew up to 30,000 people, remained peaceful, with no arrests reported. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson had confirmed ahead of the event that the National Guard would not be on the streets unless an emergency was declared. Organizers reported that the National Guard was not visible on the ground in Austin