On Saturday, approximately 2,000 No Kings protests are scheduled to take place across the United States, organized in response to the Trump administration's plans for a large-scale military parade. According to an event organizer who spoke with NPR, this protest is a direct reaction to what many view as a display of dominance by President Trump, coinciding with his 79th birthday.
The military parade, which has been in planning for over a year as part of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, is also set to coincide with Flag Day. However, the addition of a peacetime military parade, a rarity in the United States, has drawn significant criticism from Trump's political opponents. Organizers of the No Kings protests describe their demonstrations as a day of defiance, aimed at rejecting authoritarianism and showcasing the true essence of democracy.
On their website, the organizers state, "We're showing up everywhere he isn't—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings." This sentiment encapsulates the movement's goal of promoting democratic values in stark contrast to the spectacle of the parade.
In response to inquiries about the planned protests, President Trump remarked, "I don't feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved." This statement reflects the ongoing tension between the administration and its critics, particularly those mobilizing through the No Kings initiative.
The No Kings protests have been organized by a coalition of more than 200 organizations, including notable groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Communications Workers of America. While protests are set to occur in every state, Washington, D.C. will not host demonstrations. Instead, organizers are encouraging D.C. residents to participate in the flagship protest in Philadelphia, a city rich in American history as the birthplace of both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
The No Kings initiative emerged following Trump's inauguration in February and has since protested various policies, including the administration’s approach to immigration and workforce reductions. The protests aim to highlight the movement’s grassroots nature in contrast to what the organizers describe as the "costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade" in Washington, D.C.
The military parade is estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million and will feature around 6,000 Army soldiers, 49 aircraft, 128 vehicles, and 25 horses. Interestingly, President Trump had originally sought to hold a similar parade during his first term, but the plans were scrapped due to budgetary concerns. His inspiration for such a display came from witnessing the annual Bastille Day parade in France in 2017, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789.
In a document outlining the event, No Kings organizers emphasized the importance of nonviolence among participants. They urged demonstrators to focus on peaceful protest and the de-escalation of any potential conflicts with opposing groups, reinforcing the movement’s commitment to civil discourse and democratic ideals.
