INTRODUCTION
A significant number of Americans are expected to engage in “No Kings” protests aimed at expressing their opposition to former President Trump.
These demonstrations are anticipated to draw participants from various backgrounds, reflecting a broad coalition of individuals united by their concerns over Trump’s policies and leadership style.
Organizers of the protests are mobilizing communities across the nation, encouraging citizens to voice their dissent and advocate for democratic values.
The movement seeks to highlight issues such as inequality, political corruption, and the erosion of democratic norms, aiming to foster a sense of solidarity among those who feel marginalized by the current political climate.
As the date of the protests approaches, the momentum is building, with many individuals eager to make their voices heard in a collective stand against what they perceive as a threat to the principles of democracy.
Millions of Americans are anticipated to participate in protests against the Trump administration this Saturday, with demonstrations scheduled at approximately 2,000 locations across the country.
This event, titled “No Kings,” coincides with the president’s military parade and birthday celebrations.
The surge in interest for these protests has been fueled by recent actions taken by Trump, including the deployment of National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps troops to Los Angeles to suppress largely peaceful protests against increased deportations.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, one of the organizations spearheading the “day of defiance,” noted a significant uptick in participation,
with hundreds of new events added to the protest map and hundreds of thousands of individuals registering to attend.
The protest’s website outlines grievances against the administration, highlighting issues such as defiance of judicial rulings, mass deportations, assaults on civil rights, and cuts to essential services, declaring that the current state of corruption is intolerable.
he planned actions will span from major urban centers to small towns, illustrating a widespread opposition to Trump that resonates throughout the nation.
No Kings has decided not to organize an event in Washington, D.C., aiming instead to shift attention away from the military parade and highlight the strength of the populace beyond the nation’s capital.
Instead, a significant march will take place in Philadelphia, while a local organization in D.C. is planning a “DC Joy Day” to honor the city’s residents, culture, and communal ties.
Levin articulated the rationale behind this decision, stating that they wanted to avoid providing the administration with a pretext to suppress counter-protesters in D.C. and to prevent the narrative that their actions were a protest against the military.
The goal is to diminish the perceived power of the administration by demonstrating solidarity and dissent across the country.
In early April, the “Hands Off” protests attracted millions of participants at over 1,300 locations, and Levin anticipates that the upcoming No Kings event will draw an even larger crowd,
despite President Trump’s warnings of a strong response to any protests, which the White House has since attempted to downplay.
During a recent press conference, Trump characterized those who oppose the military parade as individuals who “hate our country” and threatened them with “very big force,”
although he claimed to be unaware of any planned protests. Later, press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump endorses peaceful demonstrations. When questioned about the No Kings protests at a White House event,
Trump remarked that he does not consider himself a king, emphasizing the challenges he faces in getting approvals for his initiatives.
In response to heightened security concerns following recent actions by Trump in Los Angeles, organizers have significantly increased the capacity for pre-protest training sessions.
A recent “know your rights” call hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union attracted over 18,000 participants at one point, where attendees raised critical questions regarding their participation in protests,
particularly those with legal immigrant status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Concerns were also voiced about how to react in the event of violence and how to handle potential provocateurs.
Social media has amplified calls for individuals to adopt a strategy of sitting on the ground if violence occurs, a tactic that may be effective in certain situations but could also pose risks in others, according to organizers.
They emphasize the importance of having a personal safety plan for protests rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Meanwhile, military personnel remain deployed in Los Angeles, where protests against their presence and immigration enforcement continue.
Hunter Dunn, the national press coordinator for the decentralized protest movement 50501, who experienced teargas during a protest against the arrest of union leader David Huerta, is actively involved in organizing the No Kings action in Los Angeles.
Dunn notes that the focus of the protests has shifted to a more explicit demand for the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
and the federal government from the area, framing the movement as a stand against authoritarianism and fascism in light of perceived government aggression.
The No Kings protests are set to occur across various locations in Los Angeles, with a significant gathering anticipated near City Hall, and organizers are enhancing security and medical support measures to ensure participant safety.
