Opponents of President Donald Trumpβs administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during theΒ military parade in WashingtonΒ to mark the Armyβs 250th anniversary, which coincides withΒ Trumpβs birthday.
Click HERE for details on the “No Kings” protest in Charlotte
The βNo Kingsβ protests are set to take place to counter what organizers say are Trumpβs plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day. βNo Kingsβ will follow several days ofΒ nationwide protestsΒ against federal immigration raids including inΒ Los Angeles,Β where Trump’s deployment of the National Guard further agitated his opponents.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is following the president’s cue. Abbott said Thursday that he hasΒ ordered the deploymentΒ of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops, along with more than 2,000 state police, in response to the ongoing demonstrations and in preparation for the βNo Kings” protests.
The Army birthday celebration had already been planned. But earlier this spring, Trump announced his intention to ratchet up the event to include 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets. He has longΒ sought a similar display of patriotic force.
Why is it called βNo Kingsβ?
The βNo Kingsβ theme was orchestrated by theΒ 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviserΒ Elon Musk, the now former leader of Trumpβs Department of Government Efficiency, a government organization designed to slash federal spending. Protesters have called for Trump to be βdethronedβ as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president.
βTheyβve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,β the group says on its website, referring to the Trump administration and its policies. βTheyβve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.β
Why are they protesting on Saturday?
The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country’s democracy, according to a statement by organizers.
Organizers intend for the protests to counter the Armyβs 250th anniversary celebration β which Trump has ratcheted up to include an expensive, lavish military parade. The event will featureΒ hundreds of military vehicles and aircraftΒ and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
βThe flag doesnβt belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,β the βNo Kingsβ website says. βOn June 14th, weβre showing up everywhere he isnβt β to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.β
Where will the protests happen?
Protests inΒ nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country, from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, organizers said.
No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., however, where the military parade will be held. The group says it will βmake action everywhere else the story of America that day.β
βNo Kingsβ plans instead to hold a flagship march and rally in Philadelphia to draw a clear contrast between its people-powered movement and what organizers described on their website as the βcostly, wasteful, and un-American birthday paradeβ in Washington.
What is planned at the βNo Kingsβ protests?
People of all ages are expected to come together in the protest locations for speeches, marching, carrying signs and waving American flags, organizers said in a call Wednesday.
On the group’s website, it says a core principle behind all βNo Kingsβ events is a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation.
No weapons of any kind should be taken to βNo Kingsβ events, according to the website.
How many people are expected to participate?
The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.
