Crowds of demonstrators anticipate attending 'No Kings' protests across the country, coinciding with President Trump's military parade celebration on his 79th birthday.
As the military parade rolls through Washington, DC, on the president's birthday this weekend, millions of Americans are expected to gather in protest - marking what organizers call the strongest display of opposition to the current administration since it took office. The No Kings movement has planned more than 2,000 protests across every state, aiming to reject what they see as authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of democracy.
The protests are a direct response to Trump's military parade in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the US Army, which coincides with his 79th birthday. Recent days have seen eyes on Los Angeles, where the National Guard and Marines have been deployed in response to massive protests against immigration sweeps. Protest organizers argue that this move has only fueled their resolve to speak out against authoritarianism.
A curfew hovers over protesters in DC, and photographer David Huerta has captured the spirit of the LA protests in pictures. Demonstrators have been protesting controversial raids and deportations in cities nationwide, while the administration continues to display military force against its own citizens. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has suggested the order used to federalize the National Guard in Los Angeles could be a template for other states.
In Philadelphia, a flagship rally is expected to draw 60,000 to 80,000 protesters, with the Philadelphia Police Department ready for the crowds. Authorities in New York say they're prepared for significant protests, and Mayor Eric Adams encourages protesters to peacefully express their views. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass cautions protesters against creating a pretext for the deployment of troops, and no date has been set for lifting the curfew in troubled areas of the city.
No Kings events will take place in all 50 states, with especially big turnouts expected in Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chicago. Other groups are planning additional protests across the country, which could make the overall turnout against the administration even larger. On Wednesday evening, No Kings organizers spoke to more than 4,000 people on a Zoom call, preparing them for the upcoming protests. The aim is not violence, but rather to send a clear message to the president: "In America, we don't do kings."
In recent weeks, the No Kings movement has garnered nationwide attention, reflecting widespread discontent with the current administration's policies and style of governance. The movement's emphasis on nonviolence and coordinated community action underscores a commitment to democratic principles and the rejection of authoritarian tendencies. Ultimately, the resilience and organization of the No Kings protests highlight the enduring power of democratic expression in the face of perceived threats to freedom and democracy.
The upcoming protests, organized by the No Kings movement, directly oppose the politics and military displays of the current administration, with the aim to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of democracy. As the protest movement echoes throughout all 50 states, its nonviolent approach and commitment to democratic principles serve as a testament to the enduring power of democratic expression, seeking to convey a clear message to the president: "In America, we don't do kings."
