Protests across the United States erupted over the weekend, with demonstrators mobilizing against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, military spending, and healthcare proposals. The rallies coincided with a series of federal immigration raids, sparking uproar in communities including Los Angeles, where Trump deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
At a rally in Boston, demonstrators honed in on the issue of immigration, expressing their outrage at the fear experienced by immigrant families. Six-eight-year-old Donna Sarti of Framingham lamented, “I am just appalled at what I see people going through — especially my wonderful immigrant neighbors who are so afraid to even leave the house.”
Support for the LGBTQ+ community also surged during the protests. Shea Adams, an 11-year-old from Sharon, voiced concerns about attacks on the rights of her two moms, stating, “It’s just not right — and we need to get whoever is there out of office immediately.”
Demands for social equity spurred additional protests against the proposed tax cuts in Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” which critics argue disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans. Eighteen-year-old Parker Page from Arlington remarked, “Billionaires clearly have a lot of sway with the government. This ‘Great Big Beautiful Bill’ they’re trying to pass just gives tax breaks to them — it doesn’t help anyone else.”
More than 1,800 “No Kings” protests were planned nationwide as part of a National Day of Action organized by various groups, including 50501—aiming for “50 protests, 50 states, one movement.” The protests served as a direct response to a costly military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Trump’s birthday. The parade was anticipated to feature extravagant military displays at a reported cost of up to $45 million.
In Massachusetts alone, nearly 100 demonstrations were scheduled, stretching from the Berkshires to Nantucket and all corners of the state. Around 150 people attended a “No Kings” rally in Brockton despite rainy weather. Participants carried signs criticizing Trump’s military parade while some drivers honked in approval, and others voiced their dissent.
Seventy-three-year-old Leon Litchfield held a sign reading, “An expensive parade does nothing for vets!” He reflected on the importance of participating in the demonstration, stating, “I think just getting out… it’s probably the least you can do, but it’s something.”
Vivien Michals, 92, attended the rally in a wheelchair alongside her husband Ed, 93. She banged a wooden spoon on an oven pot and expressed hopes for a compassionate future for their grandchildren, saying, “I want them to have the country I’ve had.”
In Brookline, Christine Knapp, 59, traveled from New Hampshire to rally against Trump’s legislation, which she dubbed the “Big Ugly Bill.” Concerned about fiscal responsibility, she questioned why tax breaks were being provided to wealthy older individuals at the expense of future generations, stating, “Why should we be giving tax breaks to older people who already have a lot of money, while leaving debt for young families who can’t afford a house?”
Mark Bowhall protested in Providence, holding a sign that read, “I love our troops, I love our country, I despise this moron, No Kings!” A retired computer programmer, Bowhall clarified that he and his family, with two sons in the Marine Corps, respected the military and did not want the “No Kings” message misconstrued as unpatriotic.
His fellow protester, Kelly Pereira, held a sign that declared, “My son needs Medicaid more than billionaires need tax cuts.” Pereira’s son, Ollie, 7, requires extensive medical care due to injuries sustained in an accident, and she emphasized the vital role of Medicaid in her son’s life.
Burlington, Vermont, drew around 3,500 demonstrators for a waterfront rally at Lake Champlain, showcasing a mix of flags and notable messages. Steve Norman, 79, proudly displayed his flag that read, “Fascism sucks,” expressing optimism about the growing activism across the country, saying, “People are getting mobilized.”
Meagan Collins, 38, from Burlington, aimed to stand on the right side of history, emphasizing that demonstrators were showing the world that Trump’s actions were unacceptable and declaring, “King Trump must be dethroned.”
The Boston protest also featured 25-year-old Jessie Terray, who brandished a sign referencing Trump’s controversial remarks about Haitian immigrants. Terray articulated her frustration with the lack of checks and balances in government, stating, “They control all the institutions — the House, the Senate, the court.”
The nationwide protests highlighted an engaged and vibrant activist community, pushing back against what they perceive as authoritarianism and an erosion of democratic values. Demonstrators expressed their determination to advocate for social justice, equality, and transparency in government, aiming to shape a future that aligns with their vision for America.
image source from：https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/14/metro/no-kings-new-england-demonstrations/
