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Thousands of people are gathering across the US for ‘No Kings’ demonstrations against President Donald Trump.
Organisers, who oppose Trump’s immigration, education and security policies, say they expect more than 2,600 events across the country.
This is the third mass mobilisation since Mr Trump’s return to the White House and is expected to be the largest.
The President’s Republican Party has called the protests ‘Hate America’ rallies.
It comes against the backdrop of a US government shutdown that has closed federal programmes and services.
Analysts say the dispute is testing the balance of power as Trump confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organisers say are a slide towards authoritarianism.
Mr Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
In a Fox News interview, Trump said: ‘They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.’
Protests are expected near his Mar-a-Lago resort, where Trump has gone to host a MAGA Inc fundraiser.
The New York Police Department said it was spreading out across the city to monitor events.
The force wrote on X: ‘The NYPD will be out to make sure everyone can peacefully and safely exercise their first amendment right.
‘As a reminder, there will be zero tolerance for any illegal activity or anyone who breaks the law.’
Large crowds attended protests earlier this year against Elon Musk’s cuts in spring, then to counter Mr Trump’s military parade in June.
Organisers say this demonstration is building a more unified opposition movement.
Top Democrats such as senate leader Chuck Schumer and independent senator Bernie Sanders are expected to join.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, among the key organisers, said: ‘There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power.’
Senior Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, support the protests.
They say they are a defence of constitutional rights and civil liberties.
Sanders described the events as ‘love America rallies,’ rejecting Republican claims that they were anti-patriotic.
Republicans, however, have branded the demonstrations ‘Hate America rallies,’ accusing participants of being extremists and blaming them for prolonging the government shutdown.
House Speaker Mike Johnson described the protesters as ‘Marxists’ and ‘antifa types’.
Democrats have refused to approve legislation to reopen the government without funding for healthcare.
They argue the shutdown highlights Trump’s overreach and the need to restore balance between the presidency and Congress.
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