Opponents of President Donald Trump鈥檚 administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during the to mark the Army鈥檚 250th anniversary, which coincides with .
The 鈥淣o Kings鈥� protests are set to take place to counter what organizers say are Trump鈥檚 plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day. 鈥淣o Kings鈥� will follow several days of against federal immigration raids including in where Trump's deployment of the National Guard further agitated his opponents.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is following the president's cue. Abbott said Thursday that he has of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops, along with more than 2,000 state police, in response to the ongoing demonstrations and in preparation for the 鈥淣o Kings" protests.
The Army birthday celebration had already been planned. But earlier this spring, Trump announced his intention to ratchet up the event to include 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets. He has long .
Why is it called 鈥楴o Kings鈥�?
The 鈥淣o Kings鈥� theme was orchestrated by the , a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser , the now former leader of Trump鈥檚 Department of Government Efficiency, a government organization designed to slash federal spending. Protesters have called for Trump to be 鈥渄ethroned鈥� as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,鈥� the group says on its website, referring to the Trump administration and its policies. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.鈥�
Why are they protesting on Saturday?
The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a statement by organizers.
Organizers intend for the protests to counter the Army鈥檚 250th anniversary celebration 鈥� which Trump has ratcheted up to include an expensive, lavish military parade. The event will feature and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
鈥淭he flag doesn鈥檛 belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,鈥� the 鈥淣o Kings鈥� website says. 鈥淥n June 14th, we鈥檙e showing up everywhere he isn鈥檛 鈥� to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.鈥�
Where will the protests happen?
Protests in , from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, organizers said.
No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., however, where the military parade will be held. The group says it will 鈥渕ake action everywhere else the story of America that day.鈥�
鈥淣o Kings鈥� plans instead to hold a flagship march and rally in Philadelphia to draw a clear contrast between its people-powered movement and what organizers described on their website as the 鈥渃ostly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade鈥� in Washington.
What is planned at the 鈥楴o Kings鈥� protests?
People of all ages are expected to come together in the protest locations for speeches, marching, carrying signs and waving American flags, organizers said in a call Wednesday.
On the group's website, it says a core principle behind all 鈥淣o Kings鈥� events is a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation.
No weapons of any kind should be taken to 鈥淣o Kings鈥� events, according to the website.
How many people are expected to participate?
The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.
Lisa Baumann, The Associated Press
