'No Kings' protests planned across US against Trump administration on Saturday
2,000 protests scheduled in all 50 states, including nation's largest cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, Philadelphia
HOUSTON, United States
Planned demonstrations against the Trump administration are scheduled in all 50 US states on Saturday, in what is being called the "No Kings" movement.
Organizers of the demonstrations estimate that nearly 2,000 events will be held nationwide, from large cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, and Philadelphia, to small cities like Lewisburg, West Virginia, Pinedale, Wyoming, and Moab, Utah.
Protests are also taking place in other countries, including Britain, Germany, and Mexico.
Organizers of the "No Kings" protests include the American Civil Liberties Union and other rights groups that advocate for issues such as abortion, education, gun control, health care, and Social Security.
Leaders of the event have branded it as a "day of defiance" against what the groups describe as authoritarian overreach by President Donald Trump and his allies, according to media reports.
"No Kings" day was planned before the demonstrations that have taken place in Los Angeles over the past week in protest of the federal immigration raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and Trump's subsequent federalization and deployment of the National Guard and US Marines to Southern California.
Countering the "No Kings" protests, Trump has scheduled a military parade in Washington, DC, celebrating the US Army's 250th anniversary, which also coincides with the president's 79th birthday.
When asked about the "No Kings" protests, Trump dismissed the reference to himself.
"I don’t feel like a king," Trump told reporters on Thursday. "I have to go through hell to get stuff approved," appearing to refer to the opposition he faces from Democratic lawmakers.
"We’re not a king at all, thank you very much," the president added.
Organizers of the "No Kings" demonstrations have characterized Trump's military parade not as a celebration of the armed forces, but as a theatrical "display of dominance" similar to military marches that have been hosted by dictators in other countries.
The White House dismissed that reference, saying Trump respects Americans' rights to freedom of speech and expression.
"The president absolutely supports peaceful protests," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. "He supports the First Amendment. He supports the right of Americans to make their voices heard. He does not support violence of any kind. He does not support assaulting law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their job."
