“No Kings” Protests: Strategic Midterm Mobilization Disguised as Grassroots Uprising
🎉Happy 6-Month Anniversary, State 48 News!
The “No Kings” protests, were far more than expressions of discontent—they were a sprawling, data-driven operations aimed at jump‑starting midterm mobilization. What appeared as organic anger masked a finely tuned system of voter engagement, digital infrastructure, and future mobilization.
These were sophisticated protests with a purpose.
While Republicans mocked the events, most seemed to miss the greater significance. State 48 News Senior Journalist Christy Kelly, in real time at the event quickly detailed the ramifications of the day.
GROK never disappoints! The illustration is all in good fun—but for the record, State 48 actually observed a pretty balanced crowd. Despite the jokes from Republicans about “geriatric boomers,” the protest pulled a wide mix of ages and backgrounds.
In a sea of handmade signs and emotional speeches at the Phoenix rally, the crowd was a vivid cross-section of America—everything from aging hippies and drag performers to young Hispanics waving signs about “abuelas,” and too many young attendees clad head-to-toe in black with faces covered.
Organizers say the Phoenix flagship event had 10,000 people register in advance.
Protesters lined the lawn of Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza and spilled into surrounding streets, waving American flags and homemade banners—some featuring upside-down flags or Mexican flags with faces masked for anonymity. The atmosphere, even in extreme heat, blended lively drag performances and chants like “This is what democracy looks like” with earnest calls for immigration reform and civil rights.
During the nationwide protests, Arizona notably incorporated drag performances into the rally programming. State 48 was unable to find any other states that mixed in the controversial “family friendly” entertainment.
At the Phoenix rally and across the country, the “50501 Movement” brought together a vast coalition of national and grassroots groups. Included were the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, SEIU, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), local Indivisible chapters, the Revolutionary Communists of America, and the Democratic Socialists of America. Over the mic, participants were repeatedly urged to “pick an issue, pick an organization,” turning the rally into more than a protest—it became an entry point into ongoing campaigns, voter outreach, and advocacy networks.
The State 48 News team members witnessed firsthand the digital pipeline: an online signup followed by immediate thank-you texts and email invitations for What’s Next.
That seamless funnel from protest to political campaign is no coincidence. They leveraged encrypted platforms to collect contact info, track issue preferences, and disseminate messaging.
In fact, by the time the event was over, attendees who were registered were met with a follow-up email and action plans for next steps.
No Kings Org, Follow-Up Email
What struck State 48 most wasn’t just the turnout—it was the money behind the Phoenix rally. This wasn’t some ragtag, bring-your-own-sign protest. Attendees were handed free t-shirts, rally towels, pre-packaged snacks, bottled water, electrolyte hydration packets, and branded materials—all distributed at scale. Have you seen the price of Liquid I.V. lately? This wasn’t grassroots on a shoestring—it was a full-scale, professionally resourced operation with the budget to match the message.
Billed as a response to ‘Trump’s Flag Day military parade,’ organizers said the protests were about defending democracy, civil rights, and rejecting authoritarianism.
But let’s be honest—this looked a lot more like a well-funded early mobilization push for the 2026 midterms than a one-day act of resistance.
A follow-up call hosted by Indivisible took place, and you can watch it here. U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D) also made an appearance, which was a bit of a surprise given the violence that occurred in Minnesota.
In Arizona, the protests did, in fact, remain mostly peaceful. However, the rhetoric didn’t always match the tone of nonviolence. State 48 observed flashes of language that crossed the line from passionate to provocative. Here are two of the most outrageous examples:
Photo Credit: Christy Kelly
In Arizona’s 105-degree heat, State 48 observed a notable number of protesters wearing masks and full face coverings. So we asked the obvious question: Why the need to hide your face? Two participants offered answers, and we engaged in deeper conversations about anonymity, fear, and political expression. Those interviews and insights will be published soon on Kelly’s personal Substack.
What’s next? Another rally, of course. Planning is already underway. Buckle up—this progressive network isn’t slowing down. They’re just getting warmed up.
🎉Six Months In—and We’re Just Getting Started. State 48 News Isn’t Slowing Down.
As we mark six months of State 48 News, we want to extend a sincere thank you to every single one of you—our loyal subscribers, casual readers, thoughtful critics, and tireless supporters. Whether you’ve read one article or every one, your engagement has helped fuel this mission.
We’re especially grateful to the elected officials, candidates, and public servants who trusted us with interviews and offered transparency when it mattered most.
Today, we celebrate an early milestone: 50 paid subscribers and nearly 1,000 total subscriptions. That’s not just a number—it’s momentum. And we’re just getting started.
From budget battles to street-level protests, local campaigns to state agency oversight, we’re committed to delivering independent, Arizona-first journalism that speaks to real people.
Thank you for being part of the ride—here’s to the next chapter.
In Arizona, reality’s always just out of focus.
I’m not a progressive but I can’t wait for another protest.