Area residents are planning to join the nationwide “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump.
The protests coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary on Saturday, June 14.
In Ames, protesters are expected to gather at 10 a.m. at Roosevelt Park, located at the intersection of Ninth Street and Roosevelt Avenue, to wave flags and hold signs. The protest is organized by Democracy Every Day and Indivisible Ames.
Smaller communities are getting involved as well. Slater, with a population of about 1,600 people in southern Story County, will host a rally from noon to 2 p.m. at Main Street and Linn Street.
Story County Democrats are also encouraging protestors to join in the “National Day of Defiance” rally at noon on Saturday at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines.
“We’re standing together against the abuses of power, cruelty, and corruption,” organizers wrote on the Facebook event post. “On June 14th, we gather to remind Trump and his enablers: America has No King. In America, our government is to work for us. All of us. It is to function of the people, by the people, in service for the people.”
In Boone, a “No Kings” protest will begin at 3 p.m. at the corner of Story Street and Mamie Eisenhower. Organized by the Boone County Democrats, the rally will follow a “Picnic For The People,” which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Herman Park pavilion.
Nationwide protests scheduled during military parade in D.C.
The ‘No Kings’ protests are expected in more than 1,000 cities nationwide, according to protest organizers. They will precede a large-scale military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The parade is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., though events are scheduled throughout the day.
The celebration will take place one week after Trump mobilized the National Guard in Los Angeles to quell protests against immigration enforcement. Trump has also since mobilized 700 Marines to protect federal buildings and property.
Saturday, June 14, is also Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day.
Reporter Ryan Hansen contributed to this article.
Ames Tribune reporter Ronna Faaborg can be reached at rfaaborg@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames-area communities plan to join nationwide ‘No Kings’ protests. What to know
Reporting by Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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