Four marchers dressed in prison stripes and large caricature heads of Trump and other officials displayed a sign saying “Impeach Trump Again.”
“As a Marine Corps vet, I understand that the United States was founded upon action against tyrants, against kings.”
In June, 2,000-plus No Kings protests took place, mostly peacefully, on the same day that Trump celebrated his 79th birthday and held a military parade in Washington.
REPUBLICANS CLAIM PROTESTS ARE ANTI-AMERICAN House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, on Friday echoed a common refrain among his party, labeling the “No Kings” protests “the hate America rally.”
Overall turnout for the June 14 “No Kings” rallies was estimated at 4 million to 6 million, according to a crowd-sourcing analysis published by the prominent data journalist G. Elliott Morris on his Strength in Numbers blog site.
Oct. 18 (Reuters) – On Saturday, protesters gathered in American cities, chanting “No Kings” in opposition to what they perceive to be authoritarian and unchecked corruption in the U.S. S. President Donald Trump.
By the end of the day, organizers anticipated that millions of people would have attended over 2,600 planned rallies in major cities, small towns, and some foreign capitals, opposing a Trump-led agenda that has reformed the government and overturned democratic norms at a rate never seen before since he took office in January.
“There is nothing more American than stating, ‘We don’t have kings,’ and using our right to peaceful protest,” stated Leah Greenberg, a co-founder of Indivisible, a progressive group that oversaw the preparation of Saturday’s activities.
The protests are a reflection of the growing unease among many Americans, primarily on the left, over events like Trump’s militarized immigration crackdown, the deployment of National Guard troops into the United States, and the criminal prosecution of his alleged political rivals. A. cities — a move that Trump has claimed was intended to protect immigration agents and combat crime.
Police mostly kept a low profile during the noisy but orderly rallies.
Protesters crowded the streets of Washington and marched in the direction of the U.S. S. . Capitol, holding signs and chanting, U. A. balloons and banners. The atmosphere was calm and carnival-like, with lots of people wearing costumes along with their dogs.
“Impeach Trump Again” was written on a sign held by four marchers wearing prison stripes and huge caricature heads of Trump and other officials. “.”.
Wearing a Statue of Liberty headpiece and carrying a “No Wannabe Dictators” sign, protester Aliston Elliot stated: “We want to show our support for democracy and for fighting (for) what is right. I oppose the abuse of power. “..”.
Events in Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City also attracted sizable crowds. downtown Houston, Texas. A. Officials reported that at least 1,500 people were present, including 30-year-old Marine Corps veteran Daniel Aboyte Gamez.
Gamez, who served in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, said, “I don’t understand what’s going on in this nation right now.”. As a veteran of the Marine Corps, I am aware that the United States was established on the principle of taking action against despots and monarchs. “,”.
As thousands of protesters poured into Portland, Oregon’s riverfront district, 70-year-old military veteran Kevin Brice wore a black sweatshirt bearing the slogan, “No Kings since 1776.”. “,”.
It embarrasses me that federal agents wearing masks are making street arrests. That we are discussing the use of the military against civilians embarrasses me. That lying and making things up are acceptable makes me ashamed,” Brice remarked. Thus, despite my lifelong Republican affiliation, I disagree with the party’s current course. “”.
Trump asserts that he is not a monarch.
Regarding the demonstrations on Saturday, Trump has not said much. However, in a Friday interview with Fox Business, he stated that “they’re calling me a king— I’m not a king.”. “.”.
According to Greenberg, more than 300 grassroots organizations assisted in planning the marches on Saturday. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, tens of thousands of individuals who will serve as marshals at the various marches have received legal training in addition to de-escalation training. In an effort to increase turnout, “No Kings” advertisements and content have taken over social media.
U. S. . Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent progressive, and U.S. S. . Alongside former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump, progressive Democrat Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has supported the marches. Support for the movement was also expressed by senior Democratic lawmakers.
In June, Trump celebrated his 79th birthday and held a military parade in Washington, the same day that more than 2,000 No Kings protests occurred, largely peacefully.
Protests, according to Republicans, are anti-American.
Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson declared Friday’s “No Kings” demonstrations “the hate America rally,” echoing a recurring theme in his party. “.
Other Republicans, particularly in the wake of the September assassination of right-wing activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk, have accused the rally organizers of creating an environment that could lead to further political violence.
American University in Washington professor Dana Fisher, who has written multiple books on American activism, predicted that Saturday might see the biggest protest turnout in contemporary U.S. history. A. past.
Based on registrations and attendance at the June events, she anticipated that more than 3 million people would participate.
An analysis of crowdsourcing conducted by renowned data journalist G estimated that between 4 and 6 million people attended the June 14 “No Kings” rallies. On his blog, Strength in Numbers, Elliott Morris.
According to Fisher, the demonstrations “will not change Trump’s policies.”. However, it could give elected officials at all levels more confidence to oppose Trump. “”.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the U.S. Capitol for the first rally of Saturday, which took place abroad. S. London’s embassy, as well as additional protests in Madrid and Barcelona.
Brad Brooks, AJ Vicens, and David Shephardson reported; Nick Zieminski, Cynthia Osterman, and Marguerita Choy edited.
