Millions of people are expected on Saturday to protest against the Trump administration at around 2.000 locations across the country in demonstrations called “No Kings,” planned for the same day the president will have a military parade and celebrate his birthday.
Interest in these events has grown since Trump sent the National Guard and United States (U.S.) Navy troops to Los Angeles to suppress mostly peaceful protests against increased deportations.
“Since the weekend we’ve recorded hundreds of new events on the No Kings Day map,” said Ezra Levin, co-founder of the organization Indivisible, one of the groups behind the “day of defiance.” “Hundreds of thousands of people have signed up for these events.”
The protest website cites Trump’s defiance of the courts, mass deportations, attacks on civil rights, and cuts to services as reasons for the protests, with the message: “Corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.” Events are scheduled in the largest cities and small towns across the country, from coast to coast – part of a strategy to show that there is resistance to Trump in all parts of the U.S.
No Kings will not organize an event in Washington D.C., to draw attention away from the military parade and show the power of the people outside the capital. Instead, Philadelphia will host the main march, and the D.C.-based organization is organizing “DC Joy Day” in the district, which will “celebrate the people of D.C., the culture, and our connections with one another.”
“We didn’t want to give Trump an excuse to suppress counter-protesters in D.C.,” said Levin. “We didn’t want to give the narrative that we’re protesting against the military. Instead, we wanted to make him as small and weak as he is, and protest everywhere else in the country.”
At the beginning of April, protests called “Hands Off” gathered several million people at more than 1.300 locations. Levin expects No Kings to be even bigger, despite Trump’s threats that the protests will be met with “very great force,” which the White House later tried to downplay.
At a press conference this week, Trump said that people protesting the military parade “hate our country” and will “be met with very great force,” although he stated he was unaware of planned protests against the event. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt later said that Trump “supports peaceful protests.”
Asked about the No Kings protests during an event at the White House on Thursday, Trump said: “I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get approvals.”
Preparations
Organizers have increased training capacities ahead of the protests due to heightened security concerns following Trump’s actions in Los Angeles. On a “know your rights” call led by the AmericanCivil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Tuesday, over 18.000 people participated at one point. Questions were raised such as whether to participate if you are a legal immigrant with a residence permit or DACA status, how to react in case of violence, and what to do in case of potential provocateurs.
Posts on social media have spread widely, calling on people, if violence breaks out, to sit on the ground – a tactic that can be useful in some circumstances but also dangerous in others, say organizers. People should come to the protests with a plan on how to protect themselves, but should not expect a universal response such as sitting on the ground in all situations.
Troops are still deployed in Los Angeles, where protests continue against their presence and against immigration actions.
“Protest against fascism”
Hunter Dunn, national press coordinator for the decentralized protest movement 50501, was tear-gassed while in the crowd at a protest in Los Angeles over the arrest of union leader David Huerta. Dunn is helping organize the No Kings action in Los Angeles, and 50501 is one of the partners for this day of protest at the national level. According to Dunn, the event in Los Angeles is now focused on what is happening on the ground.
“There is a clearer focus on removing ICE and federal authorities from Los Angeles, and you could say this is a protest against authoritarianism and fascism, because our government is actively attacking us,” said Dunn.
According to the map, No Kings protests will be held across the Los Angeles area, with a large gathering expected near city hall. Organizers are increasing security and medical preparations, said Dunn.
“If someone’s legal status is at risk, I wouldn’t want them to jeopardize that because of a protest. But I would want them to ask five of their neighbors to come instead,” said Dunn. “Because if you stand up to the authorities alone, you will be crushed and pushed back. But if the entire community unites in solidarity, there is no power in the world that can break that. We are safer together.”
In Minnesota, Heather Friedli is helping organize a rally and march in front of the state capitol in St. Paul. A community that experienced mass protests and riots after the killing of George Floyd by police in 2020 is concerned that Trump’s administration might target them as the president seeks to repeat his response to the protests from five years ago. However, Friedli says she has heard many comments that people are ready to protest no matter what.
“I think our people are actually ready. You know, maybe in some terrible sense, everything that happened was awful, but in many ways, it sparked those community ties that we maintain to this day, and I think we are stronger because of it,” she said.
Although many U.S. citizens feel that the country is at a turning point because of Trump’s use of troops to suppress protests, Levin added: “We see this as building strength. On Saturday we will conduct a big training. But it is a tactic in a long-term strategy to protect U.S. democracy.”
“Are we suddenly going to save democracy on Saturday? No. Will Trump suddenly step down on Saturday? No, that’s not how it works,” said Levin. “We see this as building strength. On Saturday we will conduct a big training. But it is a tactic in a long-term strategy to protect U.S. democracy.”
