CALDWELL, NJ — Another round of "No Kings" protests will be taking place across the nation this weekend, including in the Caldwells. But this time, there's a new twist: they're not about Donald Trump.
No Kings rallies are being planned in dozens of towns and cities in New Jersey on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The list includes a rally from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Caldwell Green (at Bloomfield and Roseland avenues) in Caldwell.
This weekend's protests will be the fourth round of No Kings demonstrations since President Donald Trump took office for his second term. Millions of people attended the previous protests, which put a spotlight on the Trump administration.
Now, demonstrators are rallying around a different cause: turning out voters for the 2026 election.
The "No Kings: Vote Early" events on Oct. 17 are focused on voter registration and education about early voting. Instead of marches and chanting, expect to see block parties, cookouts and poll walks.
Organizers say that despite a heavy contingent of progressive and Democratic Party voters and politicians at previous No Kings protests, this weekend's events will be "nonpartisan" and are intended to increase participation from all eligible voters – including Republicans, third-parties and independents.
"A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action and no civil disobedience," organizers add. "We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events."
The demonstrations are being organized independently by local advocates and community members. Dozens of national groups and nonprofits are supporting the events as partners.
No Kings events are also being planned this weekend in Atlantic City, Belmar, Bloomfield, Bridgeton, Caldwell, Cape May, Cherry Hill Township, Closter, East Orange, Franklin Township, Galloway, Glassboro, Glen Ridge, Hackettstown, Hawthorne, Highland Park, Hightstown, Lacey Township, Lakewood, Lambertville, Lawrenceville, Lindenwold, Millburn, Millville, Monmouth County, Monroe Township, Montclair, Newark, New Providence, Newton, Ocean City, Ocean Township, Paramus, Pine Hill, Piscataway, Princeton, Rahway, Rutherford, Somerville, South Orange, Spring Lake Heights, Stafford Township, Teaneck, Toms River, Verona, Vineland, Wall Township, and Wanaque.
"The energy that brought a thousand people into the streets since we first organized No Kings in June 2025 hasn't faded — it's sharpened," said Erika Malinoski, co-president of SOMA Action, which is organizing an event this weekend in North Jersey.
"We've marched. We've rallied. Now we're channeling all of that into the single most powerful act of democratic participation there is: voting," Malinoski said.
TRUMP: 'I AM NOT A KING'
The previous three No Kings protests have criticized the Trump administration for its stances on immigration, education, health care and free speech, among other issues.
Supporters of the movement have included Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who attended one of the last No Kings protests.
"No kings. No thrones. No crowns," Sherrill said. "I'll keep fighting the president to defend what we believe in here in New Jersey – the Constitution, the rule of law, and We the People."
Trump has mocked the protesters, calling them "very small" and "ineffective."
"I am not a king," he told reporters. "I work my ass off to make our country great – that's all it is."
The state has also seen demonstrations in support of Trump, including a rally in North Jersey organized by local Republican voters prior to the president's Election Day victory.
Other conservative political rallies have recently taken place in New Jersey, including several candlelight vigils in remembrance of Charlie Kirk after his assassination in September 2025.
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