Thousands of anti-Trump protests are erupting across the United States this weekend under the banner of “No Kings” day, a coordinated movement aimed at pushing back against what demonstrators see as authoritarian overreach since the president returned to office in January.
Protesters say the event is a symbolic rejection of what they view as unchecked executive power, highlighting recent policies they argue erode democratic norms and civil liberties — particularly those targeting immigration, LGBTQ+ communities, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
With dozens of demonstrations planned across Texas, the band of protests is expected to amount to the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, No Kings organizers say.
‘No Kings’ protest planned for Saturday: What are the protests about?
June 14 is Flag Day, which this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. To celebrate, the U.S. Army is holding a military parade that will cross in front of Trump’s viewing stand and bisect the National Mall. It is expected to include 7,500 soldiers and 120 vehicles, and is estimated to cost up to $45 million.
It is also Trump’s birthday.
“President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else,” a message on the event website says. “From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like.”
In response to the parade and other grievances with the Trump administration, No Kings is planning protests nationwide. Event organizers say protesters are not “gathering to feed his ego” but rather “building a movement that leaves him behind.
“The flag doesn’t belong to Donald Trump. It belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it,” the event’s website says. “On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”
The demonstrations are organized by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of progressive political action groups, which states that it is organizing “to reject corrupt, authoritarian politics.”
“In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings. NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies,” the protest website states. “We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens and defied the courts. They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.”
The website nokings.org adds that the day is to “gather to remind President Trump and his enablers: America has No King!”
‘No Kings’ protest near me this weekend: See Texas locations
There are protests planned in over 1,500 cities across the country, including dozens in Texas, according to a map on the No Kings website. Here’s where No Kings protests are planned in Texas’ major metro areas.
To view all locations vin Texas, visit this map.
‘No Kings’ protests in Dallas-Fort Worth area
‘No Kings’ protests in Austin-San Antonio area
‘No Kings’ protests in Houston area
‘No Kings’ protests in El Paso area
This story was updated to add a gallery.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: ‘No Kings’ protests planned across US on June 14: See map of locations in Texas
Reporting by Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman / Austin American-Statesman
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
