United States | News & Politics

Think about the Civil rights movement. People did various demonstrations to end segregation of schools, transportation, housing, but also to end voter suppression and disenfranchisement. The overarching theme is "End Segregation/Apartheid" but you could point to a collection of demonstrations to say the goals were scattered and vague. Like the bus boycotts is just one of many aspects to de-segregate, bringing people towards the overall civil rights movement, No Kings is gathering people aggrieved to any one of the issues to be part of a movement that wants to end authoritarianism.

The zone is flooded by the Trump admin with Iran, Palestine, Epstein, ICE, Venezuela, Cuba, Caribbean attacks, Greenland threats, crypto and oil company bribes to name a few. None of which the people can really influence directly through co-ordinated action (some things have already been tried like the aid flotilla). People are overwhelmed, and need an outlet and a way to share the message that this isn't normal and authoritarian fascism will not become our new normal. But there's no way that you can get everyone to agree to a singular cause immediately, that's probably why the headline is "No More Authoritarianism", rather than a specific set of demands. These events will help people find other people that care about the same issue. That's what organization is all about, it's the first step in a long list of steps. A strike is a few steps ahead but not the goal in itself either.

eta: jordanlund's criticism is an example of one that is more nuanced and clear.