The “No Kings” protests spread peacefully across dozens of cities, both in the US and abroad, in opposition to the Trump administration’s large-scale military parade on Saturday. But they took place amid apparent political violence in Minnesota, where a state representative was killed in her home.
Organizers estimated that more than 5 million people participated in over 2,000 planned protests, according to spokesperson Eunic Ortiz. Events were also held in Germany and France, according to the AP. Although the protests were peaceful, police in Culpeper, Virginia, arrested a man who “intentionally accelerated his vehicle toward the dispersing crowd” at the end of a protest. One person was struck, but no one was injured, police said.
Organizers accuse the president of organizing the military parade as a display of dominance and a celebration of his 79th birthday, which also falls on Saturday. The Army has been planning some form of birthday commemoration for more than a year, but the parade was a recent addition. It will mark the 250th anniversary of the US Army and coincides with Flag Day. A military parade in peacetime is rare in the US and has been criticized by Trump’s political rivals.
Tens of thousands marched peacefully in Philadelphia, where organizers held their main event, police said. Philadelphia was chosen as the headquarters because “there is an indelible link between Philadelphia and the freedoms and ideals on which the country was founded,” said Joel Payne, spokesperson for MoveOn, one of the dozens of groups behind the No Kings protests.
Ezra Levin, co-founder and co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, another No Kings coordinator, said the atmosphere at the event was one of joy. “Today, what I saw was a loud and peaceful demonstration of First Amendment rights,” he told NPR.
The protests continued in Minnesota, despite organizers calling for the cancellation of all events in the state. “This decision comes in light of the shelter-in-place order in effect and the tragic shooting that claimed the lives of two elected officials and their spouses,” No Kings said in a press release. Despite the warnings, tens of thousands attended a protest at the Capitol, Minnesota State Patrol spokesperson Lt. Mike Lee told MPR News.
Thousands were at a protest in Dallas, one of more than 60 planned in Texas, KERA reported. In Alaska, the theme was “The only king I want is the king salmon,” Alaska Public Media reported.
There was some unease among protesters, some of whom turned off their cell phones and avoided posting on social media.
“It seems like there’s retaliation against people exercising their right to protest against this government,” said protester Ali Schoenberger of Sacramento. “So, I feel it’s important to protect my fellow protesters today and not expose them, not even have it on my phone.”
Despite a forecasted high of 41°C in Green Valley, Arizona, a few hundred people showed up, said Martha Jane Gipson, a retired teacher.
On Thursday, Trump was asked about the protests and told reporters: “I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get things approved.”
Separately, the US Capitol Police reported arresting 60 protesters on Friday night after some tore down barricades and ran toward the Rotunda steps. They say all 60 will be charged with illegal demonstration and crossing the police line. Other charges include assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. The groups behind the protests did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The No Kings demonstrations were organized by a coalition of more than 200 organizations, including MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Communications Workers of America. No protests were planned in Washington, D.C., where the military parade took place.
According to the organizers’ website, protesters were avoiding the nation’s capital “to draw a clear contrast between our popular movement and the costly, expensive, and un-American birthday parade in Washington”.
Source: npr.org By Clare Marie Schneider, Ayana Archie