On Saturday, a series of nationwide protests dubbed ‘No Kings Day’ are expected to draw thousands of participants as they rally against President Donald Trump’s administration and stand in opposition to a military parade in Washington, D.C. that marks the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.
The concept behind ‘No Kings Day’ is to unite millions of everyday Americans in a peaceful demonstration to express their stance against what they perceive as excessive governmental control and overreach. Ezra Levin, co-executive director of the progressive organizing group Indivisible, suggested that the movement embodies a profound rejection of authoritarianism, stating that participants are declaring, ‘we don’t do kings in America.’
Many of the organizations involved, including Indivisible, have urged participants to voice their concerns about the Trump administration’s policies, particularly those related to immigration, civil rights, and reductions in federal support services.
Interestingly, the protests coincide with President Trump’s birthday, and while he has denied any connection between the celebration of his birthday and the timing of the parade, protest organizers have chosen to leverage the event as a platform for their cause.
Originally conceived in early May after reports surfaced regarding the military parade, the protests gained momentum following heightened tensions over immigration enforcement in cities like Los Angeles. This has amplified public interest and participation in the ‘No Kings Day’ events.
The planned protests will occur across more than 2,000 locations nationwide, with a flagship event in Philadelphia. Levin remarked that the protests are situated “just about everywhere, everywhere but downtown D.C.—intentionally so.”
The rationale behind avoiding downtown Washington, D.C. was explicitly stated: organizers did not wish to provide the Trump administration with a rationale for retaliating against peaceful demonstrations or to claim that these protests were acts of defiance against the military.
Instead, Levin affirmed that the protests are focused on fostering community engagement in areas across the country. Most of these events are scheduled for the morning ahead of the military parade, with some occurring concurrently in the western regions of the nation, as the parade itself is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET.
President Trump responded to inquiries about the planned protests by maintaining that he does not perceive himself as a king, stating, “I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.” He emphasized the challenges he faces in governance, referring to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Thune while asserting, “No, no, we’re not a king, we’re not a king at all.”
In a separate discussion earlier in the week, Trump threatened to deploy “heavy force” against any protesters at the military parade, though White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that the President supports peaceful demonstrators. It’s essential to note that the ‘No Kings’ protest organizers are not planning any demonstrations in Washington, D.C.
Concerns regarding safety and the potential for unrest during the protests have been acknowledged. Organizers are committed to ensuring that the events remain peaceful and have conducted training sessions focused on safety and de-escalation tactics.
Levin pointed out worries about outside groups potentially disrupting the gatherings yet stressed the non-confrontational nature of the day. He explained, “We’re going into this not feeling as if we’re going into battle. That’s not what this is about.” Participants are encouraged to bring humor and creativity, using signs and chants to exercise their First Amendment rights.
In response to potential risks, governors in states like Texas and Missouri have elected to activate the National Guard as a precautionary measure during Saturday’s protests. However, both states maintain that peaceful protests are a protected right.
As for what lies ahead, the events on Saturday signify just one step in a broader effort by these organizing groups to challenge the Trump administration. Levin concluded that persistent, people-powered advocacy is crucial. “We need consistent and peaceful organizing throughout blue, red, and purple states to confront the growing overreach from this administration.”
The emphasis is on long-term engagement rather than a single protest event. The ‘No Kings Day’ demonstrations highlight an ongoing commitment to mobilizing communities and fostering dialogue around pressing political issues.
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