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'No Kings' anti-Trump protests across US ahead of his military parade 'No Kings' anti-Trump protests happen across US as military parade held in DC
(about 3 hours later)
People take part in a "No Kings" protest outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on 14 June 2025 as US President Donald Trump presides over a military parade in Washington, DC.People take part in a "No Kings" protest outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on 14 June 2025 as US President Donald Trump presides over a military parade in Washington, DC.
Thousands of people have gathered in cities across the US to join protests against President Donald Trump, hours ahead of his military parade in Washington DC. Protests against President Donald Trump have taken place in towns and cities across the US, organised by a group called "No Kings".
The demonstrations organised by a group called "No Kings" was billed as a nationwide day of defiance at his policies. The demonstrations were held to counter a rare military parade hosted by Trump in Washington DC, and came after days of protests in Los Angeles and elsewhere over his immigration policies.
Lawmakers, union leaders, and activists gave speeches in cities like New York, Philadelphia and Houston to crowds waving American flags and signs critical of Trump. Lawmakers, union leaders and activists gave speeches in cities including New York, Philadelphia and Houston to crowds waving American flags and placards critical of Trump.
The military parade, scheduled for Saturday evening, is timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army and it is also Trump's birthday. The military parade on Saturday evening, also Trump's birthday, was timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army. He warned that any protests at the parade would be met with "heavy force".
Organisers said there were hundreds of protests. They largely passed off peacefully.
In Philadelphia, people gathered in Love Park. "I just feel like we need to defend our democracy," Karen Van Trieste, a 61-year-old nurse, told the Associated Press. She said Trump's staffing cuts to public health agencies were one of the reasons why she turned out.
One of the larger crowds was in Los Angeles where leaders and law enforcement have been on high alert during days of protests, sometimes violent, against a series of deportation raids.
Trump sent in the state's National Guard a week ago against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom and to the anger of local officials.
On Saturday, Jose Azetcla, a member of the civil rights group the Brown Berets, told the BBC in Los Angeles that it was immigration that brought him out on to the streets.
"It's not harsh, it's evil. You don't separate families," he said.
There were confrontations between protesters and National Guard soldiers near the Federal Building and tear gas was fired to disperse the crowds. But a block or two away, hundreds of protesters continued marching peacefully.
In Philadelphia, crowds gathered in Love Park. "I just feel like we need to defend our democracy," Karen Van Trieste, a 61-year-old nurse, told the Associated Press. She said Trump's staffing cuts to the Centers for Disease Control, a major public health agency, worried her.
Follow the latest from across the USFollow the latest from across the US
One of the largest crowds was expected in Los Angeles where leaders and law enforcement remained on high alert after a week of protests against a series of immigration raids sparked protests across the city.
They were largely peaceful but some became violent, with cars set on fire. Trump sent in the state's National Guard contingent against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom.
He has warned that protesters who demonstrate at the military parade would be "met with very big force".
Some politicians and former military leaders have criticised the event as a politicisation of the US military.
The "No Kings" group takes its name from a criticism that Trump has overstepped the limits of presidential power in second term.
Protesters named issues from immigration to the effectiveness of the federal government as reasons for coming out to march. The "No Kings" name refers to criticism that Trump has overstepped the limits of presidential power in his second term.
In Los Angeles, thousands more people took to the streets. The president stood to salute as some of the thousands of uniformed soldiers taking part in the parade marched past, alongside dozens of tanks and military vehicles, plus marching bands.
Elidia Buenrostro, 29, told the Los Angeles Times she marched on behalf of undocumented family members living in the country. She and her daughter held a sign that said "families belong together. He spoke briefly to thank those present for their service.
"Our soldiers never give up. Never surrender and never, ever quit. They fight, fight, fight. And they win, win, win."
Some politicians and former military leaders have criticised the event as a costly vanity project. The price tag is between $25m and $45m (£18.4m to £33.2m), according to the Army.
But many of those attending told the BBC that for them it was about celebrating the military, to which some of them held a deep connection.
When Melvin Graves returned from fighting in Vietnam, he got no parade, he said, so this was as close as he would come to one.
Mr Graves acknowledged politics played a part in the event but added: "This is about honouring these men and women who served, to thank them for their service."
Watch: "No Kings Day" protests against Trump take place across the US
The last US military parade was held by President George HW Bush in June 1991, celebrating the US-led victory in the Gulf War.
A crowd of 200,000 people attended the parade to cheer on veterans, peaking at 800,000 who watched the fireworks display, the LA Times reported at the time.
The numbers at Saturday's event was well below that, partly due to wet conditions and the forecast of heavy rain.
For younger veterans, the parade was something they never saw during their time in service.
Brian Angel, a former infantryman from Virginia who served in the Army between 2014 and 2017, including a stint at the border between South and North Korea, told the BBC he wanted to see more of this.
"Every branch should get some sort of parade or recognition."
Jesus polished luxury cars in LA - then ICE showed upJesus polished luxury cars in LA - then ICE showed up
Hiding in fields - farm workers in California fear deportationHiding in fields - farm workers in California fear deportation
In other protests across the US, some dressed up as characters from popular culture as commentary for the political moment they saw themselves in.
Jaqueline Sacrona told the New York Times that she and her daughters had dressed as characters from Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale for a local Michigan protest, to channel her concerns about reproductive rights. Some experts saw an uneasy juxtaposition between US soldiers marching through the capital while troops had been deployed by the president to deal with protests in LA.
A man named Dennis Hannan in Philadelphia costumed himself as Elvis Pressley. Clad in a bedazzled suit and holding a flag, he told CNN that the late rock n' roll icon was "the only American King." Security expert Barbara Starr told the BBC: "Because of that polarisation right now over this immigration debate and the use of troops in uniforms carrying weapons, I think it does overhang this parade in a way that was perhaps not originally envisioned by the army."
"We're here to downplay any other kings," he told CNN. Some of the "No Kings" demonstrations in the state of Minnesota were cancelled by organisers after flyers for the event were found in the car of the man accused of fatally shooting a state politician and her husband.
Demonstrations in the state of Minnesota were cancelled by organisers after some had already started, after attacks on two state politicians on Saturday. Governor Tim Walz urged people not to attend protests until the suspect had been arrested but that did not stop thousands turning out.
One lawmaker was killed, along with her husband, and another was injured in the shootings.
Governor Tim Walz urged people not to attend protests until the suspect had been arrested, and organisers followed up with a statement saying they were following his recommendation.