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The much-anticipated grand military parade that United States President Donald Trump had long desired made its way down Washington, DC’s Constitution Avenue. The spectacle featured tanks, troops, and a 21-gun salute, providing a striking contrast to the protests being held across the country. These protests were organized by individuals who condemned the Republican leader as a “dictator” and a “would-be king”.
President Trump, who was also celebrating his 79th birthday, viewed the parade from a special vantage point south of the White House. The display of US military might commenced early on Saturday, amidst light rain and overcast skies caused by the clouds enveloping the Washington Monument. The procession, which comprised over 6,000 soldiers and 128 tanks, had been a vision of President Trump’s since he witnessed a similar event in Paris in 2017. While the plan had not materialized during his first term, it finally came to fruition as part of the celebration marking the US Army’s 250th anniversary.
As armored vehicles passed in front of the President, millions of people gathered on the streets, parks, and plazas across the US to participate in the “No Kings” protests. These demonstrations aimed to challenge authoritarianism, protect democracy, and advocate for immigrant rights. Law enforcement authorities urged for calm and vowed to take a firm stance against any acts of violence. In anticipation of the protests, some governors even mobilized the National Guard.
In cities like Los Angeles and Portland, where protests against federal immigration enforcement raids had already gained momentum, authorities used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to disperse the protesters after the formal event ended. These clashes continued as demonstrators gathered in front of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) buildings well into Saturday evening.
In major cities such as New York City, Denver, Chicago, Austin, and Los Angeles, as well as smaller towns, large crowds gathered, marching, dancing, drumming, and chanting in solidarity. Some participants carried “No Kings” banners, while thousands more arrived to support the cause. Atlanta’s 5,000-capacity event reached its limit, with thousands more gathering outside to listen to speakers in front of the state Capitol. According to officials in Seattle, the city center hosted over 70,000 attendees at the largest rally in the city’s history, as reported by the Seattle Times.
The protests drew inspiration from the previous week’s demonstrations against the federal ICE raids and Trump’s order to deploy the US National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles. During these protests, individuals blocked a motorway and set cars on fire.
The No Kings Coalition released a statement on Saturday, emphasizing the unity demonstrated by Americans across the country. They proclaimed, “We don’t do kings.”
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/6/15/trump-holds-military-parade-amid-no-kings-protests-across-us?traffic_source=rss
