Fact Check: "The No Kings protests drew over 200,000 participants in New York City and over 100,000 in Philadelphia, with smaller towns like Pentwater, Michigan, seeing 400 protesters in a population of 800."
What We Know
The "No Kings" protests took place on June 14, 2025, across multiple cities in the United States, including New York City and Philadelphia. According to reports, organizers claimed that millions participated nationwide in hundreds of events (AP News). Specific estimates for attendance include approximately 200,000 participants in New York City and over 100,000 in Philadelphia (New York Times, Edhat). Additionally, smaller towns like Pentwater, Michigan, reportedly saw 400 protesters in a community of 800 (Edhat).
Analysis
The claim regarding the number of participants in the protests is partially true. While multiple sources, including the Associated Press and local news outlets, report significant turnout, there is some inconsistency in the numbers. For instance, the New York Police Department (NYPD) estimated about 50,000 participants in New York City, which is substantially lower than the 200,000 claimed by organizers (NBC New York).
In Philadelphia, the estimate of over 100,000 participants aligns with reports from various sources, including local news and the Associated Press, which noted large crowds (AP News, Edhat). The claim about Pentwater, Michigan, appears to be corroborated by the same sources, indicating that the turnout was indeed notable given the town's small population.
The reliability of the sources varies. The AP and New York Times are reputable news organizations with a history of accurate reporting, while local news outlets may have varying degrees of reliability based on their reporting practices. The discrepancies in the New York City attendance figures suggest that while the protests were indeed large, the exact numbers may have been inflated by organizers for dramatic effect.
Conclusion
The claim that "The No Kings protests drew over 200,000 participants in New York City and over 100,000 in Philadelphia, with smaller towns like Pentwater, Michigan, seeing 400 protesters in a population of 800" is partially true. While the attendance figures for Philadelphia and Pentwater are supported by credible sources, the claim for New York City is contested by official estimates from the NYPD, which reported significantly lower numbers.
