Pittsburgh to join nationwide anti-Trump protests
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Protesters are hitting the streets in Pittsburgh and nationwide on Saturday for what's expected to be the largest single-day anti-Trump demonstration since the beginning of his second administration.
The big picture: The widespread movement will run counter to Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade in Washington, D.C.
Driving the news: Pittsburgh's 50501 chapter and partner organizations will hold a No Kings rally from 12:30pm to 2:30pm at the City-County Building in Downtown, featuring speakers, music and a short march.
- Indivisible Pittsburgh and the Black Political Empowerment Project will hold a march and rally from 2pm to 4:30pm, starting at Freedom Corner in the Hill District and ending at the City-County Building, with speakers, letter-writing and civic engagement activities at both locations.
- Stand Up for Science Pittsburgh will host a vigil for academic freedom from 6pm to 8pm on the steps outside the Mellon Institute in Oakland.
What they're saying: The No Kings event "is a call to reject the idea that power should belong to any one person, party, or ruling class," 50501 Pittsburgh organizers said in a news release.
- Attendees are encouraged to bring "cause-based flags," organizers added, like "pride flags, peace banners, labor symbols, and handmade signs that reflect individual and collective values."
Between the lines: Nationwide anti-Trump protests have largely stayed peaceful, but recent anti-ICE demonstrations in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia have erupted into periodic clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
- Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt and organizers of Saturday's protests said they expect the rallies to remain peaceful.
Zoom out: Other No Kings events are planned in Mt. Lebanon, Greensburg, Beaver, Washington and Cranberry.
By the numbers: Millions of people are estimated to protest in more than 1,800 rallies across all 50 states and commonwealths, including Puerto Rico, Axios' April Rubin reports.
The latest: Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday called for peaceful protests across Pennsylvania, saying he's confident local law enforcement is prepared to protect public safety and the rights of demonstrators.
- He told The Washington Post he'd reject any attempt by President Trump to send in the military without state approval, as the president did in California, stressing that only he would authorize National Guard deployment, if needed.
Context: Trump proposed a military parade on his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary on Saturday.
- The Army predicts it will spend at least $25 million to $45 million on the plan.
The Trump administration's policies are reshaping Pittsburgh's economic landscape, with federal funding cuts threatening the city's education and research sectors.
- Pittsburghers have protested Trump's proposed Medicaid cuts, DEI rollbacks and immigration enforcement tactics at past Hands Off!, 50501 and May Day protests.