Cities across the United States prepare for a massive protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, but he attends a military parade in Washington’s capital, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army on a day coinciding with his birthday.
It is expected to be the biggest day of mobilization since Trump took office for his second term, protesters organizers said they hope to bring millions of people onto the streets of all 50 states and federal streets.
Philadelphia is planning a flagship “No Kings” anti-Trump march and rallies, with demonstrations being held in cities across the country. No events are planned in the capital, where the military parade is taking place.
The protest took place at the end of the week, with demonstrations flaring up in several locations around the country surrounding federal immigration enforcement attacks, and Trump ordered the National Guard troops and Marines to head to Los Angeles.
Some protesters blocked the highway and burned cars. The Democratic governor denounced the deployment of the military as “amazing power abuse” by the Trump administration, which encouraged protesters to calm down, but the Democratic governor was imposed on the city.
To the protesters, Washington Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson called for peaceful demonstrations to avoid the military being sent to his state. “I want to say Donald Trump can’t handle our own public safety in Washington,” he said.
Meanwhile, Republican governors of Virginia, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri have already mobilized National Guard troops to help law enforcement manage planned protests.
Virginia Gavalen Glenn Youngkin told reporters Friday that there was “zero tolerance” for violence, destruction or traffic destruction, and that “if you violate the law, you’ll be arrested.” The governor of Nebraska and Missouri repeated that sentiment, the latter taking a positive approach and “waiting for the confusion to continue.”
I’m also planning to go to the gates of Trump’s Mar Arago Resort in Florida in March. There, Republican governor Ron DeSantis warns that “the lines are very clear” and should not cross them.
“No King”
Nearly 2,000 protests across the country are organized to express what organizers say is authoritarianism, billionaire politics, and the rejection of militarizing the country’s democracy.
Their plan is to explicitly counter the military’s 250th anniversary ceremony, which Trump will be present. The military parade was added to the celebration just a few weeks ago and is expected to attract up to 200,000 people.
The theme of “No Kings” was summarised by the so-called 50501 movement. Its name represents 50501, 50 protests, 50, 50 moves.
