The organizers of this weekend’s upcoming “No Kings” protests have issued a video reminding people about the event.
The video, released on the No Kings website, reminds those planning to attend of details and calls on people to join the protests.
Why It Matters
Activists are coordinating a protest on June 14, targeting a military-style parade in Washington, D.C, celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, planned by the Trump administration on Flag Day, which coincides with the president’s birthday.
There have been several nationwide protests against Trump or his administration’s policies—such as the “Hands Off” demonstrations—but this weekend, on the backdrop of anti-immigration unrest, which, like in Los Angeles, has sometimes turned violent, is set to see the largest gathering of anti-Trump movements since his inauguration.
Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP
What To Know
The video reiterated previously released plans about the day and issued a rallying call to supporters.
Over photos of other protests—including those that have been taking place in Los Angeles—the American flag, and Trump himself, a voiceover said:
“Every day across this country something powerful is happening. People are rising, for each other, for democracy and for our collective freedom.
“We have chosen not to live in fear or let division destroy this country.”
The voiceover added that “our rights and our freedoms are under attack” and that protest will help protect rights while Trump “wastes” money on a military parade, calling him “a wannabe King.”
“We believe power belongs with the people,” the voiceover said.
The “No Kings” group, which is organizing the protest, is recruiting volunteers online and working with local chapters in more than 30 states with over 100 other organizations.
Organizers from the 50501 Movement, the name of which references “50 states, 50 protests, one movement,” plan demonstrations in over 1,500 locations nationwide under the “No Kings” banner. The protests are aimed at what participants describe as “corruption” and “authoritarian” tendencies in the Trump administration, including decisions on immigration and uses of federal force in cities like Los Angeles.
What People Are Saying
Speaking to Newsweek, Scott Lucas, professor of international politics at University College Dublin, said: “I don’t think they are going to immediately dissuade the Trump administration from pursuing what in effect is authoritarian rule.”
“The Trump folks will try and portray the protesters as being the dangerous enemy within that they are acting against,” he continued. “But the point of protest is that you don’t expect any immediate capitulation. First of all you show that you haven’t been broken so simply turning out and marching shows that people are still concerned about rights, they’re still concerned about decency they’re still concerned about tolerance, they’re still concerned about their systems.”
He added: “The protests have an impact because Americans are still standing up for what they think is vital about America.”
Asked in the White House on Thursday for his thoughts on the protests, Trump said: “I don’t feel like a king I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.
“A king would say ‘I’m not going to get this…he wouldn’t have to call up [House Speaker] Mike Johnson and [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune and say fellas you’ve got to pull this off and after years we get it done. No no we’re not a king, we’re not a king at all.”
The “No Kings” group previously said: “Real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else.”
What Happens Next
A map shows the cities that are hosting Saturday’s protests.
The president has warned those planning to protest the military parade that they will “be met with heavy force.”