Bulwark Takes – "No Kings Could Be the Biggest Protest EVER"

Host: Tim Miller (The Bulwark)
Guest: Ezra Levin (Co-Founder, Indivisible & No Kings Protest Organizer)
Release Date: March 26, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tim Miller welcomes back Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, to discuss the upcoming "No Kings 3" protests, which are on track to become the largest in American history. They dive into the protest's scope, strategy, organizing tactics, and the broader anti-authoritarian movement in the U.S. Ezra provides firsthand insight into logistics, participant safety, diversity outreach, and the protest’s purpose beyond just mobilization. The conversation also navigates how sustained organizing, community engagement, and nonviolent resistance can yield change, touching on recent government shutdowns and violence amidst political unrest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scale and Purpose of No Kings 3

• Historic Numbers:
  • Ezra highlights that No Kings 3 is already set to surpass previous records.
    • "We have the largest protest in American history coming up this Saturday...already more than 3,100 protests on the map." (Ezra, 01:27)
  • Previous protests:
    • "No Kings 1...5 million people at 2,100 protests."
    • "No Kings 2...7 million people at 2,700 protests around the world."
• Vision & Goals:
  • The protests aren’t just about numbers, but also about signaling that the current authoritarian president isn't invincible.
    • "That message...he isn't all powerful. He's actually a weak, lame duck authoritarian president who's on the way out." (Ezra, 04:38)

2. Measuring Participation

• Headcount Challenges:
  • Estimating attendance blends “art” and “science,” using input from on-the-ground hosts, experts like Erica Chenoweth, and crowd science methodologies.
    • "There is a whole...It's art, it's science...Nobody's taking attendance at these events. There's not somebody signing you in everywhere." (Ezra, 03:06)
• Critical Mass for Change:
  • The organizing rule of thumb is 3.5% of the population for major authoritarian pushback (~11-12 million in the U.S.).

3. The Power and Limits of Single-Day Protest

• Beyond the Rally:
  • Protests are just one tactic in a comprehensive strategy; deeper, ongoing organizing is essential.
    • "If the only thing you're ever doing is showing up on a Saturday protest...you're not going to save democracy." (Ezra, 04:09)
• Recruitment:
  • “One day protest can pull people in, but then what you need to do is something akin to...a level of depth of organizing that goes beyond a Saturday.” (Ezra, 05:41)
• Building from the Day:
  • Ezra urges participants to recruit others:
    • “Text three people who have never been to a protest before...an invitation to this incredible party that is powerful and historic and fun and community building and you should be part of it.” (Ezra, 06:35)

4. Escalating Tactics: From Protest to Economic Pressure

• Effective Resistance:
  • Suggests impactful organizing: boycotts, school and work stoppages, solidarity actions like clergy in the streets.
  • "They did it by shutting down businesses, by refusing to go to schools, by teachers not going and teaching kids...forcing a societal impact..." (Ezra, 06:01)

5. Diversity, Outreach, and Mirth as Resistance

• Community Representation:
  • Discussion on engaging broader demographics, particularly youth and underrepresented groups.
    • “You don't build connections with communities unless you go out to the communities...This is for you too." (Ezra, 09:25)
• Risk & Responsibility:
  • Some communities face higher risks simply attending protests, compelling those with more privilege to stand up.
    • “All the more responsibility on us to show up and defend the First Amendment rights for everybody else.” (Ezra, 09:55)
• Power of Joy and Community:
  • Vibrancy, humor, and fun can be a potent threat to authoritarian regimes.
    • “They don't understand mirth...They hate you showing up in a unicorn costume. They hate your funny signs...they want you to be alone.” (Ezra, 14:20)
  • Tim adds: “I love mirth. I try to do a lot of mirth because it is painful.” (Tim, 15:14)

6. Security Amidst Political Violence

• Responding to Attacks:
  • High-profile murders (Melissa Hortman, Alex Preddy, Renee Goode) have shaped strategy and heightened security.
    • "We're living under an authoritarian regime that uses political violence for a purpose...The response I've seen...is the most inspiring thing that I've ever seen." (Ezra, 10:53)
  • 200,000+ trained in Eyes On Eye nonviolent resistance training.
• Safety Protocols:
  • Every protest has a “safety lead” and plan; this is not “our first rodeo.”
    • "Every single no Kings protest has a safety lead, a safety plan. They got to go through hours of safety training..." (Ezra, 12:06)

7. Government Shutdown, DHS, and Activist Demands

• Background:
  • Ongoing DHS shutdown rooted in police violence and controversial funding debates.
    • “We're in a shutdown...Not just because ICE murdered Renee Goode, but because Border Patrol murdered Alex Preddy.” (Ezra, 16:13)
  • Activist skepticism about any Congressional deal that would fund Border Patrol with no reforms.
    • "Any deal that doesn't move ICE forward but does move Border Patrol forward without new restrictions...is nonsensical." (Ezra, 17:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Why Protest Matters:
  • “The main thing that we're trying to get to is 3 1/2% of the population engaged. That's what the anti authoritarian experts say...We're not there yet, Tim. That's why we need everybody to be recruiting their friends and families out.” (Ezra, 02:16)
• On Protest as Joyful Defiance:
  • “They don't understand mirth. And that is, I think that's real...they hate the fact that you're dancing and, and laughing and building community because that's a real threat to them.” (Ezra, 14:20)
• On Sustained Activism:
  • “If the only thing you're ever doing is showing up on a Saturday protest...you're not going to save democracy.” (Ezra, 04:09)
• On Facing Political Violence:
  • “We trained 200,000 people on an Eyes On Eye train to basically learn how to do what Alex Brady and Renee Goode were doing when they were murdered.” (Ezra, 11:43)

Key Timestamps

• Upcoming Protest Numbers & Hype: 01:27 – 02:14
• Counting Participants & Targeting 3.5%: 02:16 – 03:06
• Purpose and Strategy of No Kings Protests: 04:11 – 05:41
• Expanding Organizing Tactics: 05:59 – 07:06
• Diversity & Building Broad Coalitions: 09:04 – 10:15
• Dealing with Political Violence & Security: 10:53 – 13:00
• The Role of Mirth in Protest: 14:09 – 15:14
• DHS Shutdown & Policy Demands: 15:14 – 17:22
• Final Call to Action: Sign Up, Recruit, Grow: 17:22 – 17:36

Final Takeaways / Action Steps

• Find or Start a Protest:
  • Visit nokings.org to find nearby events or set up your own.
• Recruit Others:
  • Encourage at least three people who have never protested to join.
• Keep Building:
  • “Make this the biggest protest in history, and then do more next time.” (Ezra, 17:26)

Tone & Style:
The episode balances urgency, realism, and optimism. Both Tim and Ezra blend humor and candid self-reflection with serious discussion, creating an atmosphere that’s accessible but forceful—especially emphasizing community, nonviolent resistance, and grassroots creativity as the best answer to authoritarian threats.