On Saturday, demonstrators gathered in cities across Florida and the United States to protest President Donald Trump, coinciding with a military parade in Washington to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary and the president’s birthday.
In Miami, thousands of protesters congregated at the Torch of Friendship near Biscayne Bay, while in St. Augustine, over a thousand took to the streets, marching at the historic Castillo San Marcos.
A significant assembly of approximately one thousand people gathered at Florida’s old Capitol in Tallahassee, where they chanted, “This is what community looks like.” The crowd displayed signs featuring messages such as “one nation under distress” and “dissent is patriotic.”
Organizers of the rally emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, urging attendees to avoid conflicts with counter-protesters and to adhere to traffic regulations.
One notable march was destined for Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach. In response, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis cautioned protestors about the ramifications of crossing the line between peaceful demonstration and violence.
In Atlanta, the “No Kings” rally attracted a crowd that quickly reached its 5,000-capacity limit, with many more outside barriers listening to speakers at the state Capitol. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, planned demonstrations were canceled as police pursued a suspect connected to the shootings of two Democratic legislators and their spouses.
In Philadelphia’s Love Park, where intermittent light rain fell, demonstrators shouted, “Whose streets? Our streets!” as they marched toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There, they listened to several speakers on the famous steps featured in the film “Rocky.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland energized the crowd by questioning, “Are you ready to fight back? Do you want a gangster state or do you want free speech in America?”
Some organizers provided small American flags while attendees waved larger versions, with signs advocating for pro-democracy and immigrant rights, alongside various anti-Trump sentiments.
In Los Angeles, thousands assembled in front of City Hall, while hundreds gathered on the lawn in front of Mississippi’s state Capitol, and marchers traversed a bridge over the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock.
Protests were planned in nearly 2,000 locations nationwide, from small towns to community parks, although no events were scheduled in Washington, D.C., where the military parade was set to take place in the evening.
The 50501 Movement, which orchestrated the protests, adopted the “No Kings” name to advocate for democracy and challenge what they perceive as the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name signifies 50 states, 50 protests, and one movement.
These demonstrations unfolded following a wave of protests ignited by federal immigration enforcement raids launched the previous week. Additionally, tensions escalated when President Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, where some protesters engaged in blocking freeways and setting vehicles ablaze.
Governors and city officials across the nation pledged to safeguard the right to protest while expressing zero tolerance for violence. Some leaders called for calm, while Republican governors in states including Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, and Missouri mobilized National Guard troops to assist law enforcement in managing the demonstrations.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin reinforced the message of accountability, noting, “There will be zero tolerance for violence, destruction, or disrupting traffic. If you violate the law, you’re going to be arrested.”
Similarly, in Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe conveyed a proactive approach, ensuring that law enforcement would not wait for chaos to ensue.
On social media, Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, urged peaceful protests throughout the weekend to prevent Trump from claiming public safety issues in Washington State.
Ferguson stated, “Donald Trump wants to be able to say that we cannot handle our own public safety in Washington state.”
image source from：https://kbindependent.org/2025/06/14/in-miami-and-u-s-anti-trump-no-kings-demonstrations-draw-big-crowds/
