Over eight million Americans protest in No Kings demonstrations against Trump

US organisers estimate that the first two waves of 'No Kings' demonstrations involved more than 5 million people in June and 7 million in October. For Saturday, 9 million participants were expected, although it is unclear whether this estimate was reached.

Organisers stated that more than 3,100 events - 500 more than in October - were registered in all 50 states. The protests were mostly peaceful, although some arrests were reported.

In Los Angeles, authorities used tear gas near a federal detention centre in the city centre. One man used a leaf blower in an attempt to disperse the gas. The police department then made arrests for failing to break up the assembly. Earlier, a band played and people danced to Spanish-language music.

In Denver, police declared an assembly illegal and used smoke bombs after a small group of protesters blocked a street and refused to disperse. Some threw the smoke bombs back at the officers. At least eight people were arrested, plus a ninth later charged with throwing objects.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson called the protests the product of 'left-wing funding networks' with little real public support. "The only people who care about these 'Trump obsession therapy sessions' are the journalists paid to cover them," she said in a statement. The National Republican Congressional Committee also voiced strong criticism. "These 'anti-America rallies' are where the most violent and distorted fantasies of the far left get a microphone," said spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole.

Trump's immigration control policy, particularly in Minnesota, was just one of many protest grounds, along with the war in Iran and the curtailment of the rights of transgender people. Speakers also criticised the economic power of billionaires. InWashington, hundreds of people marched from the Lincoln Memorial to the National Mall with signs such as "Lay down your crown, clown" and "Regime change starts at home". Bill Jarcho, who flew in from Seattle, was accompanied by six people dressed as insects in tactical vests emblazoned with "LICE" - a parody of ICE - in what he called a "mockery and shock" tour.

"What we are offering is the mockery of the king," he said. "It's about ridiculing authoritarianism, which they hate." About 40,000 people marched in San Diego, according to police.

In New York, Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said Trump and his supporters want people to be afraid to protest. "They want us to believe that there's nothing we can do to stop them," she said. "But you know what? They're wrong - completely wrong."

In Topeka, Kansas, one protester wore an inflatable frog costume and one depicting an infant version of Trump. Wendy Wyatt carried a 'Cats Against Trump' sign. She said many things about the administration annoy her, but that the demonstrations give her 'a lot of hope'. Organisers said that two-thirds of the sign-ups came from outside large urban centres, including communities in conservative states such as Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Louisiana, as well as electorally competitive states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona.

The organisers have designated the Minnesota rally as the main national event.

Before Springsteen's performance, a video was shown in which actor Robert De Niro said he woke up every morning depressed because of Trump, but was happier on Saturday seeing millions of people protesting. He also congratulated the citizens of Minnesota for kicking ICE out of town.

Guests included singer Joan Baez, actress Jane Fonda, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and numerous activists, union leaders, and elected officials. Protesters displayed a huge sign on the Capitol steps that read: 'We had whistles, they had guns. The revolution begins in Minneapolis."

"Donald Trump can pretend not to listen, but he cannot ignore the millions of people who took to the streets today," said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. Demonstrations were also held in more than a dozen other countries, according to Ezra Levin of Indivisible, who organised the events.

In Rome, thousands of people demonstrated with slogans against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose conservative government saw a referendum on justice reform fail. Protesters also displayed banners against Israeli and US attacks on Iran.

In London, demonstrators displayed placards with slogans such as 'Stop the far right' and 'Stand up against racism'.

In Paris, several hundred people, mostly Americans living in France along with trade unions and human rights organisations, gathered at the Bastille.

"I protest against all of Trump's illegal, immoral, reckless and endless wars," said organiser Ada Shen.