Protests erupted in towns and cities across the United States in a coordinated event dubbed “No Kings,” aimed at countering President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C. This rare event, held on Trump's birthday, marked the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and drew criticism amidst ongoing protests over his immigration policies.
In cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Houston, crowds of demonstrators gathered, vocally opposing Trump’s governance while holding American flags and placards. Speaking to the Associated Press, nurse Karen Van Trieste, 61, said, "I just feel like we need to defend our democracy," underscoring her concerns about Trump's budget cuts to public health agencies.
In Los Angeles, where law enforcement was on high alert due to recent protests against deportation raids, a significant gathering occurred. Activist Jose Azetcla stated, "It's not harsh, it's evil. You don't separate families," expressing solidarity against aggressive immigration enforcement. Tension heightened when confrontations erupted between protesters and National Guard soldiers, leading to tear gas being used to disperse some crowds.
Despite a wave of protests — reportedly involving millions across hundreds of locations — surveys indicate that Trump's immigration policies retain considerable support, with 54% of Americans approving of his deportation strategy. Many demonstrators, however, rallied against what they termed as overstretched presidential powers.
The military parade, described by some politicians as a costly vanity project with expenses ranging from $25 million to $45 million, featured uniformed soldiers, tanks, and military bands. The rare display was met with mixed reactions, many referencing the last military parade held in 1991 to commemorate the Gulf War victory, which had drawn substantial crowds.
Even attendees like Melvin Graves, a Vietnam veteran, acknowledged the politicization, stating, "This is about honoring these men and women who served." The current conflict over immigration policy and the use of National Guard troops for crowd control added complexity to the celebratory atmosphere of the military event.
Critics have noted the stark contrast between soldiers marching proudly in the capital and the tensions present in Los Angeles, where military response was used to maintain order during protests. As demonstrations continued, concerns remained over the escalation of the immigration debate and its implications for national unity and public safety.
Some "No Kings" protests were curtailed in Minnesota after disturbing connections to a violent event surfaced, but crowds still gathered in defiance of the cautionary advice from local officials. The atmosphere across the nation reflects a deeply divided sentiment towards the administration as the conversations surrounding democracy, immigration, and military presence in civilian protests gain prominence.
