On Saturday, a series of coordinated ‘No Kings Day’ events will take place in cities across the United States, including a significant protest in Philadelphia.
This nationwide day of defiance is being organized to express opposition to what participants view as the cruelty, corruption, and authoritarianism of the Trump administration.
The protests build on momentum from a wave of rallies that occurred in April, organized by grassroots groups such as Hands Off! and the 5050 Movement, which drew over 1,000 people in Old City on April 19 to call out what they deemed anti-democratic policies from the White House.
‘No Kings Day’ proponents emphasize a commitment to nonviolent protest, urging attendees to avoid escalating any potential confrontations during the events.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro reassured the public about the preparedness of local authorities for the upcoming protests.
“I’m coordinating closely with Mayor Parker; our state police colonel is communicating closely with Commissioner Bethel, and we’ll make sure it’s a peaceful day here in Philadelphia,” Shapiro stated in an interview with CBS News Philadelphia.
He urged anyone choosing to protest to do so peacefully, emphasizing that violence would not be tolerated.
In Philadelphia, the ‘No Kings’ march and rally is set to start on Saturday, coinciding with hundreds of similar events planned for communities nationwide.
The date of June 14 holds significance as it aligns with a military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, which also coincides with Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
Organizers of the ‘No Kings’ movement are critical of the parade, which they describe as a ‘made-for-TV display of dominance’ intended to celebrate the president’s birthday.
They are encouraging participants to gather in their local communities instead of converging on Washington, D.C., to demonstrate their dissent.
In Philadelphia, the rally is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. in LOVE Park.
People are expected to start gathering as early as 10 a.m., and the march will proceed down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway toward Eakins Oval, culminating in a rally planned from 1-3 p.m.
Organizers anticipate an attendance of between 60,000 and 80,000 participants, marking Philadelphia as a cornerstone event in response to both the military parade and President Trump’s birthday.
Philadelphia is a symbol of American democracy, being the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, a document that historically stood in opposition to monarchy.
Vicki Miller, a leader with Indivisible Philadelphia, articulated the group’s sentiments saying, “We got rid of one already, 250 years ago; a mad king. We’re not going to stand for this again.”
Preparations for the event have been in progress for weeks, with volunteers actively crafting signs and distributing American flags to promote unity among participants.
Miller stressed the objective of the protests: to demonstrate solidarity and commitment to their cause without resorting to violence.
The grassroots groups behind the ‘No Kings’ protests aim to highlight perceived constitutional violations perpetuated by the Trump administration, including deportations without due process and abuses of power.
Event organizers reiterated their focus on peaceful demonstration, underscoring that their presence is a means of showing solidarity rather than inciting conflict.
In light of the expected large turnout and ongoing events, city officials have announced numerous road closures and parking restrictions throughout Philadelphia.
Road closures will begin at 3 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, and are expected to last until around 5 p.m.
Eakins Oval, located in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, will be closed, along with inbound lanes on Kelly Drive at Fairmount Avenue.
Further road closures will be in effect for varying durations throughout the day, impacting Arch Street, 16th Street, and sections of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Drivers are advised to adhere to temporary ‘No Parking/Stopping’ signs, as vehicles in violation may be subject to towing.
In addition, SEPTA bus routes will also be detoured from 9 a.m. until about 4 p.m. as part of the city’s traffic management strategy for the protest.
As the ‘No Kings’ events unfold, the aims of the organizers are clear: to voice dissent against perceived injustices and foster a sense of collective action aimed at safeguarding democratic values.
image source from：https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/no-kings-protest-philadelphia-sunday-june-14/
