FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
No Kings nationwide is the largest protest in U.S. history
PHOENIX, AZ – Thousands of Arizonans lined Bell Road today — part of an estimated 8,061 participants across ten sites in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District — in a powerful show of unity, sending a message that democracy belongs to the people. The peaceful, family-friendly No Kings event — one of thousands nationwide — brought together local residents and volunteers across ten sites in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District to reject authoritarian power and defend democratic values.
“Donald Trump and other Republican politicians like Rep. Abe Hamadeh want to rule, not serve, but Arizonans are refusing to be silent,” said Brent Peak, Co-Chair of Northwest Valley Indivisible. “Real power still belongs to the people, and we’re here to prove it.”
Out of roughly fifty No Kings protests across Arizona, ten took place in CD8 — Hamadeh’s district — highlighting the depth of local engagement and leadership in standing up for democracy. The event featured a 14‑mile line of peaceful demonstrations at six intersections along Bell Road between Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, and Surprise. Other CD8 protests took place in Sun City West, North Phoenix, and Anthem. Participants carried signs, wore costumes, waved flags, played music, and joined together in peaceful solidarity as part of a nationwide movement affirming that no one is above the law. Drivers passing by offered almost completely positive responses, with only limited negative reactions.
There were a few isolated incidents, which were managed swiftly thanks to the cooperation of local law enforcement, including a man in a golf cart who struck a woman and another vehicle in an intentional hit-and-run in Surprise, AZ, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Injuries were minimal. Two other minor medical emergencies were quickly addressed on site.
Estimating the Crowd
Organizers estimate 8382 people attended the events in CD8, based on manual counts along each section of sidewalk, confirmed by photos and videos from consistent vantage points at each protest site. Volunteers documented the area to ensure accurate and transparent counts.
About No Kings
The Northwest Valley actions were part of a nationwide wave of demonstrations connecting local resistance to a broader rejection of authoritarianism led by Trump and enabled by Rep. Abe Hamadeh.
Protests in CD8 were organized by five grassroots groups: Northwest Valley Indivisible, Anthem Indivisible, The Big Blue Bubble, Stand Up Together, and Desert Progressives.
Nationally, No Kings peaceful protests were organized by a broad coalition including the ACLU, American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, SEIU, and others. A full list of partners is available at www.NoKings.org/partners.
All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and work closely with local partners to ensure peaceful and powerful actions nationwide.
The CD8 coalition thanks the police departments in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise for their coordination and professionalism throughout the planning and execution of these events.