No Kings protests, Army parade to hit Philly streets this weekend
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Hours before Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade takes over D.C. on Saturday, a smaller-scale military parade will march down Philly streets — as will anti-President Trump protesters.
The big picture: Demonstrations are planned in hundreds of cities to run counter to Trump's parade in D.C., which marks the Army's 250th birthday and coincides with his birthday.
- It comes after protests popped across the U.S. this week, including in Philly, in solidarity with demonstrators in Los Angeles.
- The president has vowed that parade protests will be met with "very big force."
🪖 Driving the news: The Army's 250th birthday celebrations in Philadelphia kick off Friday and run through Sunday, with events across historic sites in the city and Valley Forge.
- That includes Saturday's military and civilian parade from Arch Street to Independence Mall at 1:20pm, featuring marching bands, service members and re-enactors.
- The Penn & Franklin Chapter of the Association of the United States Army is hosting the events in the Philly region.
What they're saying: The Army celebration in Philly is a non-partisan event, spokesperson Erica Liermann tells Axios.
- "It's not focused on the president's agenda or any political objectives," she adds.
🪧 Meanwhile, Philly's "No Kings" protest will step off from LOVE Park in Center City at noon. Protesters plan to march to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Rocky Steps for a rally at 1pm.
- Protests are also planned in Ardmore, Havertown and Norristown.
Between the lines: Vicki Miller, group leader of rally organizer Indivisible Philadelphia, tells Axios that there are no plans to protest against the Army celebrations in the city.
- The rally aims to be a public display against Trump and his agenda.
- "He's trying to be a king. And we say no kings," she says.
Philadelphia police spokesperson Sgt. Eric Gripp tells Axios the department is balancing public safety concerns with protecting civil liberties.
- "As with all demonstrations, our priority is to facilitate peaceful protest, prevent violence or disorder, and protect the rights of all residents, businesses and participants," he said.
Zoom out: Days of protests in Los Angeles over federal immigration enforcement raids have sparked demonstrations in cities around the country. Several protesters turned out Monday in Philly's Old City, per NBC.
- The Trump administration has federalized California's National Guard, despite opposition from state officials, and mobilized hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles.
- On Tuesday, Trump said other cities across the country can expect large-scale ICE operations.
🚧 Worth noting: Road closures and parking restrictions will be in place for Saturday's protest.
- Phased-in road closures will run from approximately 3am-5pm, and stretch from Eakins Oval, Benjamin Franklin Parkway and around LOVE Park.