Hollywood actors Mark Ruffalo and Kerry Washington joined thousands in the ‘No Kings’ protests across the U.S., opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and perceived authoritarianism. The rallies, held in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Bozeman, Montana, occurred on June 14, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday and a $45 million military parade in Washington, D.C. Celebrities voiced their dissent through speeches and social media, rallying against ICE raids and executive overreach.
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Celebrity Voices Amplify the Movement
Mark Ruffalo, speaking at a New York City protest alongside Susan Sarandon, told MSNBC, “We see our democracy in real trouble. We see a president who has made himself a king and dictator.” He criticized Trump’s executive orders and family separations at the border, calling protesters “real-life Avengers” in an Entertainment Weekly interview. Kerry Washington, at the Santa Monica rally with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, held a sign reading, “The only Monarch I like is a butterfly,” and shared on Instagram, “#NoKings, just some QUEENS fighting for Democracy.”
Nationwide Protests and Context
Over 2,000 protests erupted nationwide, driven by outrage over Trump’s deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles without state approval, following anti-ICE demonstrations. Signs like “Keep ICE in my drinks, not my streets” and “No KKKings” reflected public sentiment. Glenn Close, at a 3,000-strong Bozeman protest, condemned the “underbelly of violence” after the politically motivated shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers, urging unity against “wannabe kings.” Other stars, including Jimmy Kimmel, Ayo Edebiri, and Natasha Rothwell, joined rallies, with Kimmel marching in South Bay with his parents, emphasizing love and unity.
Cultural and Industry Parallels
The protests echo broader calls for accountability, akin to Ollywood’s push for policies to rival Bollywood’s dominance. Just as Unni Mukundan shelved Marco 2 due to controversy, Hollywood stars are leveraging their platforms to challenge divisive policies, risking backlash. Posts on X praised Ruffalo’s speech but criticized celebrity activism as performative, reflecting polarized sentiments.
Impact and Ongoing Resistance
The ‘No Kings’ movement, inspired by figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., underscores public resistance to perceived authoritarianism. With stars like Ruffalo and Washington amplifying the cause, the protests signal a broader fight for democratic values, likely influencing future activism.
-By Manoj H