Coinciding with a military parade in Washington D.C. to celebrate President Donald Trump’s birthday on Saturday, June 14, an estimated 1,800 protests will take place nationwide.
Known as “No Kings Day,” organizers consider Trump’s presidency an authoritarian reign and are calling it a “day of defiance.”
In Northeast Ohio, demonstrations are planned in Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Kent and several other cities.
Here’s what to know about No Kings Day:
Who is organizing and behind No Kings Day?
No Kings Day is being organized by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of political action groups.
No Kings Day is the same day as Trump’s birthday parade date
June 14 is Flag Day. It also marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
The parade, which will feature Army equipment, flyovers, musical performances and thousands of soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present, caps off a week of programming designed to celebrate the country’s military might. Trump posted a short video address about the parade to Truth Social on Friday, June 6, inviting Americans to what he called an “unforgettable” celebration, “one like you’ve never seen before.”
The date coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.
What time is the June 14 DC military parade?
Organizers say the event in Washington D.C. will begin at 6:30 p.m.
What are the No Kings, anti-Trump protests?
Indivisible said that they’re organizing “to reject corrupt, authoritarian politics.”
“They’ve defied our courts, deported citizens, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, slashed essential services, and handed billions to their allies. Enough is enough,” reads a press release. “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.”
What did President Donald Trump say about No Kings Day protestors?
On June 10, Trump was asked about protests taking place on June 14. Here’s how he responded:
“For those people that want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force,” Mr. Trump said. “And I haven’t even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force.”
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What is No Kings Day? Why are people protesting on June 14? Here’s what to know
Reporting by Dan Kadar, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
