Progressive group Indivisible is planning a nationwide protest dubbed “No Kings Day” on June 14 as a counter to President Trump’s birthday and military parade this weekend in Washington, D.C.
The “nationwide day of defiance” was originally announced in May, but Indivisible co-executive director Ezra Levin told MSNBC on Monday night that the organization had scheduled more trainings this week due to “overwhelming interest” following protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles and the Trump administration’s mobilization of the California National Guard and the Marines.
Last month, President Trump and the Pentagon both denied the June 14 military parade was for his birthday.
Indivisible said last week that events were planned for Europe and South America to coincide with the 1,800 events in the U.S. that are expected to draw millions.
“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 organization said in a statement last month. “On June 14th, we’re coming together to send one clear message: No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.”
The coalition of groups that are working with Indivisible are also staying out of Washington to create a contrast with the administration.
“We do not want to give Trump an excuse to crack down on peaceful protests, which is exactly what he wants to do,” Levin said during his MSNBC appearance. “We don’t want to give him some sort of narrative excuse to say protesters are protesting the military … This is a democracy. And in a democracy, power depends on the people. It flows from the people. It depends on the consent of the governed, and on Saturday we’re going to show up to make that point very clear.”
President Trump warned Tuesday that any protesters in Washington on Saturday will be “met with very big force.”
The largest event is scheduled to begin at noon in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
The military parade will reportedly cost close to $40 million, according to USA Today. It will feature 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters and a fireworks display.
