What is 'No Kings' protest? What to know about Trump birthday parade protests, maps, more
"No Kings" protests will take place worldwide on June 14 intent to draw thousands of critics of what they say is President Donald Trump's birthday plans to "waste millions" on a military parade to feed his "authoritarian aspirations."
The "NO KINGS Nationwide Day of Defiance" on Flag Day is organized by Indivisible, a progressive activist group, who's partnered with 50501 and others to decry what they say is Trump's attempt to "stage a spectacle of strength" in Washington, D.C. during the Army's 250th Birthday Parade.
The $30 million-plus taxpayer-funded parade, set to include heavy tanks and armored vehicles, has not been billed as a birthday celebration for Trump, but plans to add a parade to the years-long Army celebration began in earnest last month. Trump has over the years expressed his desire for a large military parade in the U.S., and told NBC in May the parade's cost was "peanuts."
As we near Saturday's event, here's what you need to know as protests are being organized across the U.S. and other countries, from what "No Kings" means to where to find your nearest gathering.
What is 'No Kings' protest?
"No Kings National Day of Defiance" — or simply "No Kings" protests — are being planned across the nation on Saturday, June 14 — which falls on Flag Day, on the Army's 250th anniversary celebration and Trump's birthday.
When is Trump's birthday? How old is Trump?
Trump will turn 79 on June 14.
What does 'No Kings' mean?
Organizers say action is being taken to reject the notion the country is ruled by a "king" and to show what democracy looks like: "people, united, refusing to be ruled."
"This country doesn’t belong to a king — and we’re not letting him throw himself a parade funded by tens of millions of our taxpayer dollars while stealing from us and stripping away our rights, our freedoms, and the programs our families rely on," the release states.
What is happening June 14? Why is there a national protest June 14?
With Trump's birthday on June 14, organizers are mobilizing across the globe to protest what they say are Trump's attempts at displaying authoritative dominance by celebrating his birthday with a military parade "spectacle meant to look like strength," states a release from Indivisible, who has partnered with dozens of advocacy groups.
Groups are staging protests, rallies and gatherings to draw power away from Trump and the Washington, D.C. parade — that they are billing as Trump's ploy to "feed his ego" — and back into the hands of Americans.
What is Indivisible?
Indivisible, a grassroots political activism group focused on progressive causes, was founded in response to Trump's 2016 election as president. The National organization's founders and former congressional staffers, Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin, were included in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2019. The powerful network has branched out into a statewide network of groups, including nearly 50 in New Jersey.
50501 meaning: What is the 50501 movement?
The 50501 Movement is a grassroots initiative that was born on the social platform Reddit and under the hashtag #50501 in the early days of Trump's second inauguration. It stands for 50 protests in 50 states on 1 day, which has since evolved to 50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement. They last organized May Day Strong protests last month.
Anti Trump protests near me; 'No Kings' protest map, locations
There were over 1,700 "No Kings" protests planned in the U.S., the Virgin Islands, Mexico, Canada, Africa, and across Europe as of June 10. A list of "No Kings" protests are on the website Mobilize.us, which can be found here.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.