What to know about protests to Trump's June 14 parade
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Protesters are taking to the streets and community hubs nationwide on Saturday in what organizers expect will be the largest single-day anti-President Trump rally since the start of his second administration.
Why it matters: The widespread movement will run counter to Trump's multimillion dollar military parade in D.C. June 14.
- "No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," organizers wrote. "From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism."
- More than 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups are partnering to organize the No Kings events.
What they're saying: "Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday," the No Kings website said.
- "A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else."
The latest: "I don't feel like a king," Trump said when asked about the protests during a news conference on Thursday. "I have to go through hell to get stuff approved."
- "We're not a king," he added. "We're not a king at all."
- Trump on Tuesday said that any protests during Saturday's parade would be met with "very big force."
By the numbers: Millions of people are estimated to protest in more than 1,900 events in nearly 1,800 cities across all 50 states and commonwealths including Puerto Rico, organizers said.
- Some international rallies are also planned in countries including Colombia, Malawi, Italy, Portugal, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Context: Trump proposed a military parade on his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.
- The Army predicts it will spend $25 million to $45 million on the plan, an estimate that doesn't include Secret Service or law enforcement.
- D.C. is not known for having military parades, but Trump has been vying for one since his first term.
Yes, but: There will be no organized protest in Washington, D.C.
- "We want to create contrast, not conflict," said Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible, one of the partner groups.
- "The choice to hold No Kings events in every city but D.C. is a deliberate choice to keep the focus on contrast, and not give the Trump administration an opportunity to stoke and then put the focus on conflict."
What we're watching: The Women's March is separately organizing protests called "Kick Out the Clowns."
- As of Thursday afternoon, more than 15,000 people RSVPed across 330 events.
- "June 14 is our chance to reflect the absurdity of the MAGA regime and the clowns who lead it," its website said.
Catch up quick: Earlier this year, anti-Trump activists rallied during the Hands Off!, 50501 and May Day protests across a single month.
- April's Hands Off! protest saw at least 3.5 million of people join, by organizers' count, far surpassing the 500,000 RSVPs it garnered.
Go deeper:
- Here's what we know about Trump's June 14 D.C. military parade
- Army releases tickets for D.C. military parade on June 14
Editor note: This story has been updated with details throughout.
