In a show of dissent, thousands of demonstrators gathered in cities across the United States to protest against President Donald Trump just hours before his scheduled military parade in Washington, D.C. Organized by the group known as “No Kings,” the protests aimed to assert a collective stand against his policies. In major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Houston, lawmakers, union leaders, and activists addressed enthusiastic crowds, many waving American flags and displaying signs critical of the President.
The military parade, set for Saturday evening, marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coincides with Trump’s birthday. In Philadelphia’s Love Park, attendees expressed their concerns. “I just feel like we need to defend our democracy,” stated Karen Van Trieste, a 61-year-old nurse, highlighting her worries over Trump’s staffing cuts at the Centers for Disease Control, a pivotal public health organization.
Authorities in Los Angeles braced for one of the largest gatherings in the country, following a week of protests against recent immigration raids that had stirred unrest in the city. While protests overall remained peaceful, some instances turned violent, resulting in property damage. In response to the unrest, Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles, despite opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom. The President has explicitly warned that any demonstrators at the military parade would face “very big force.”
Critics, including some politicians and former military officials, have labeled the parade as an attempt to politicize the U.S. military. The name of the “No Kings” group echoes a sentiment that Trump has exceeded the constitutional limitations typically placed on presidential power during his second term.