On Saturday, mass protests against President Donald Trump are scheduled across the United States (U.S.), in which, according to organizers, millions of people will participate.
The protests, titled “No Kings Day,” will take place in more than 1.500 cities in all 50 states, as well as in several countries outside the U.S.
The demonstrations will coincide with a military parade in Washington, which Trump is organizing to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. military. Interestingly, the parade is being held exactly on the day of his 79th birthday.
According to the organizers, the protest called “No Kings Day” represents a “national day of resistance” aimed at “rejecting authoritarianism.” It is being organized by dozens of civil organizations and more than a hundred pro-democracy groups.
“We don’t have kings in America,” reads the official event page. “They are undermining our courts, deporting Americans, people are disappearing from the streets, they are attacking our civil rights and cutting public services. The corruption has gone too far,” the page further states.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of the NGO Indivisible, which is behind No Kings Day, said on Monday that the protests planned a month ago, have sparked “huge interest.” This was also contributed to by the current situation in Los Angeles, where citizens are protesting against Trump’s immigration raids.
On Tuesday, Trump announced that harsh measures would be taken against demonstrators during the parade. He emphasized that he would order the use of the National Guard and the Marines. The Guard has already been deployed in Los Angeles, and according to California Governor Gavin Newsom, this is happening illegally.
“People who want to protest will face very strong resistance. I haven’t even heard of any protest, but you know, these are people who hate our country. And they will be met with very strong resistance,” Trump stated.
