What to know about Saturday's protests
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No Kings protest organizers expect millions to gather across the nation on Saturday in an event Republican lawmakers decry as a "hate America rally."
Why it matters: The latest round of protests comes amid growing frustration about the ongoing government shutdown and widespread opposition to President Trump's military crackdown on Democratic-led cities across America.
Zoom in: Protests are planned for 9:30am on Promenade Boulevard in Rogers, 10am in downtown Bentonville and noon at the Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville, according to the organizer's website.
- A protest is also planned for 10am in Eureka Springs.
Flashback: The first No Kings rally took place June 14 in response to a military parade Trump planned for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and the president's 79th birthday.
- The event drew thousands to Dickson Street in downtown Fayetteville and across the Broadway Bridge between Little Rock and North Little Rock.
- The protests are part of a wider movement against the Trump administration including Tesla Takedown in March, Hands Off! and 50501 in April, May Day, Free America on Independence Day and "Workers Over Billionaires" on Labor Day.
State of play: More than 2,500 events were planned across all 50 states as of Monday, organizers said.
- Participating groups include the American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible and MoveOn.
The other side: The recurring movement against the Trump administration has garnered sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers who say Democrats are protesting as a ploy during the government shutdown.
- "The Trump Administration is focused on stopping the scourge of left-wing violence plaguing American communities," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement. "Left-wing protestors can beclown themselves by lawfully protesting the alternate reality they live in, but violence or breaking the law will not be tolerated."
What they're saying: Republican leadership, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), called the protest a "hate America rally."
- Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said the National Guard will need to respond to protesters. "Hopefully it will be peaceful — I doubt it," he said.
- The White House did not answer whether Trump plans to deploy National Guard troops to any protest sites.
Friction point: Johnson, in a Fox News appearance, said the protests were being put on by "the pro-Hamas wing and the Antifa people."
- "It's being told to us that they won't be able to reopen the government until after that rally because they can't face their rabid base," he said after criticizing House Democrats.
Reality check: Johnson canceled a third week of House votes amid the ongoing shutdown.