Mark Ruffalo led an emotionally charged protest against Donald Trump on Saturday, urging fellow Americans to take action during the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations. Speaking at Bryant Park in New York City, Ruffalo invoked his Marvel superhero persona, calling for unity and courage as the protests unfolded against Trump’s administration and its policies.
Ruffalo Calls for Courage and Unity at No Kings Rally
The gathering at Bryant Park was one of thousands across the country, with protestors voicing opposition to Trump’s leadership style and recent government actions. Taking the stage, the actor known for his portrayal of the Hulk addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of bravery and collective resistance.
We’re going to have to be brave if we want to be free,
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
He reinforced his message by calling on Americans to rally together, likening the assembled demonstrators to Marvel’s Avengers.
Being brave for what we hold dear — our freedoms, our democracy, and each other — it’s on us, guys. Literally, together, we’re the Avengers now. No one’s gonna come and save us, man. Americans unite.
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
Advocating for Peace, Democracy, and Human Rights
Ruffalo’s speech continued with a plea to hold onto peace and the essential values that define the nation. He described what is personally meaningful to him, highlighting family, health, and community as central to the American experience.
We’re holding on for dear life and what’s dear to us about being alive,
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
He further explained his priorities:
What’s dear to me is the feeling of calm and peace and safety. What’s dear to me is my health and my family and my friends and my work and my neighbors and my community and all the different beautiful people of this country.
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
Challenging Authoritarianism and Government Overreach
Ruffalo reflected on the founding ideals of the United States, referencing a rejection of centralized, unchecked power. Addressing concerns about Trump, Elon Musk, and other powerful figures, he reminded protestors of America’s core values.
that we didn’t want to be ruled by a king, or a monarch, or a dictator, or a supreme leader, or some crappy-ass CEO,
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
His speech criticized the administration‘s approach to due process and the treatment of immigrants, alluding to increased ICE raids and controversial detentions.
the simple notion that you can’t be arrested and tossed into a dungeon, or a detention center, or a concentration camp, or some damp basement without a fair trial,
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
Direct Rebuke of Trump Administration and Its Allies
Ruffalo did not hold back in denouncing the current administration, labeling it a regime of “billionaires, crackpots, and ICE brigades.” He described the government‘s current leadership as a dangerous monopoly on power, associating them with global autocrats.
Sadly, today Donald Trump and the administration of billionaires, crackpots, and ICE brigades have taken over,
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
He continued:
We have a king and his court and his beige henchmen, and they’re trampling on our rights and our laws and our freedoms, making themselves richer with taxpayer dollars and making us less safe with their love of other kings and dictators and the likes of [Vladimir] Putin and [Benjamin] Netanyahu and Kim Jong Un of the world.
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
A Protest Timed Against Trump’s Lavish Birthday Celebration
According to Ruffalo, the protests were deliberately scheduled on June 14 to coincide with Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C.—an event marking the former president’s 79th birthday. Ruffalo contrasted the celebration’s extravagance with the spirit of historical American resistance, aligning the demonstrators with patriots from the Boston Tea Party era.
While Trump today is blowing $45 million of our tax money on his kingly dictator military birthday bash in our nation’s capital, we are gathering here by the hundreds of thousands in locations of thousands around the USA and the world in the spirit of our founding fathers and our brothers and sisters of the Boston Tea Party,
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
He concluded the segment of his speech with a reminder of democratic principles:
We’re patriots, and we’re lovers of democracy.
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
Thousands Protest Nationwide as Other Celebrities Join
Saturday saw around 2,000 “No Kings” protests held across the country, with turnouts in the thousands at multiple locations including Los Angeles and New York City. The demonstrations came on the heels of a turbulent week that included anti-ICE protests, the deployment of the National Guard by Trump’s order, and the imposition of a curfew by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Several notable entertainers added their voices and presence to the movement, including Ilana Glazer, Susan Sarandon, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, Ayo Edebiri, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, AnnaSophia Robb, and Emily Osment, further amplifying the protest‘s message.
Implications and the Road Ahead
The “No Kings” protests reflect mounting frustration and distress under the current political climate. Mark Ruffalo’s passionate appeals for democracy, unity, and justice resonated with participants as they condemned authoritarian tendencies and policies they see as threats to civil liberties. With widespread demonstrations and prominent voices joining the cause, the movement’s momentum signals continuing public engagement and a demand for accountability as the nation grapples with its future leadership and values.
