Cities brace for large crowds at anti-Trump 'No Kings' demonstrations
across the US
[June 14, 2025]
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cities large and small were preparing for major
demonstrations Saturday across the U.S. against President Donald Trump,
as officials urge calm, National Guard troops mobilize and Trump attends
a military parade in Washington to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary.
A flagship “No Kings” march and rally are planned in Philadelphia, but
no events are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., where the
military parade will take place on Trump’s birthday
The demonstrations are gaining additional fuel from protests flaring up
around the country over federal immigration enforcement raids and Trump
ordering National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles where
protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire.
Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades
while officials enforced curfews in Los Angeles and Democratic governors
called Trump's Guard deployment “an alarming abuse of power” that "shows
the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement.”
Governors and city officials vowed to protect the right to protest and
to show no tolerance for violence.
Republican governors in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri are
mobilizing National Guard troops to help law enforcement manage
demonstrations.
There will be “zero tolerance” for violence, destruction or disrupting
traffic, and "if you violate the law, you're going to be arrested,"
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters Friday.
In Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a similar message, vowing to take a
proactive approach and not to “wait for chaos to ensue."
Nebraska’s governor on Friday also signed an emergency proclamation for
activating his state’s National Guard, a step his office called “a
precautionary measure in reaction to recent instances of civil unrest
across the country.”
Organizers say that one march will go to the gates of Trump's Mar-a-Lago
resort in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis warned
demonstrators that the “line is very clear” and not to cross it.
Governors also urged calm.
On social media, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, called
for peaceful protests over the weekend, to ensure Trump doesn't send
military to the state.
“Donald Trump wants to be able to say that we cannot handle our own
public safety in Washington state,” Ferguson said.
In a statement Friday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, urged
“protestors to remain peaceful and calm as they exercise their First
Amendment right to make their voices heard.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said his administration and
state police are working with police in Philadelphia ahead of what
organizers estimate could be a crowd approaching 100,000 people.
Philadelphia's top prosecutor, District Attorney Larry Krasner, warned
that anyone coming to Philadelphia to break the law or immigration
agents exceeding their authority will face arrest. He invoked civil
rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as a guide for demonstrators.
“If you are doing what Martin Luther King would have done, you're going
to be fine," Krasner told a news conference.
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U.S Marines work outside of a federal building, Friday, June 13,
2025, in Los Angeles (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Some law enforcement agencies announced they were ramping up efforts
for the weekend. In California, state troopers will be on “tactical
alert," which means all days off are cancelled for all officers.
Why is it called ‘No Kings’?
The “No Kings” theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, to
support democracy and against what they call the authoritarian
actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50
states, 50 protests, one movement.
Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire
adviser Elon Musk. Protesters have called for Trump to be
“dethroned” as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a
democratically elected president.
Why are they protesting on Saturday?
The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject
authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization
of the country’s democracy, according to a statement by organizers.
Organizers intend for the protests to counter the Army’s 250th
anniversary celebration — which Trump has ratcheted up to include a
military parade, which is estimated to cost $25 million to $45
million that the Army expects to attract as many as 200,000 people.
The event will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft
and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be Trump's 79th
birthday and Flag Day.
“The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,” the
“No Kings” website says. “On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere
he isn’t — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”
What is planned at the ‘No Kings’ protests?
Protests in nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country,
from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community
parks, organizers said.
Demonstrations are expected to include speeches and marches,
organizers said in a call Wednesday. The group says a core principle
behind all “No Kings” events is a commitment to nonviolent action,
and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any
confrontation.
No weapons of any kind should be taken to “No Kings” events,
according to the website.
How many people are expected to participate?
The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest
single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers
said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to
take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.
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