On June 14, 2025, more than 2,000 "No Kings" demonstrations were held simultaneously across the United States to protest President Donald Trump’s military parade, which coincided with Flag Day and his 79th birthday, as well as to reject his administration’s policies which were deemed authoritarian.
The action was organized by a coalition of over 200 progressive organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Indivisible, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Organizers emphasized that the movement represented "a day of resistance to reject authoritarianism and to demonstrate what true democracy looks like."
While the military parade took place in Washington D.C., marking the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary with over 6,000 soldiers, 128 vehicles, 49 aircraft, and 25 horses, demonstrators highlighted the event’s estimated cost, ranging between $25 and $45 million, and criticized the parade as a "show of dominance."
Philadelphia stood out as the focal point with thousands of participants, while approximately 1,000 people gathered in Dallas for one of more than 60 planned protests across Texas. In Nebraska, over 13 cities hosted rallies, each with hundreds of attendees.
Protesters voiced strong opposition to what they viewed as the Trump administration’s authoritarian tendencies, strict immigration policies, and the ballooning budget for the military parade. They also condemned the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles and the harsh crackdown on recent immigrant protests.
"No Kings is about defending democracy, human rights, and standing against the persistent abuses of power we continue to witness," said Deirdre Schifeling, Chief Political and Advocacy Officer of the ACLU, in an interview prior to the events. Meanwhile, President Trump dismissed notions of monarchy, stating, "No, no. We are not kings," when asked by reporters.
Across various states, Democratic governors such as Josh Stein (North Carolina), Wes Moore (Maryland), and Katie Hobbs (Arizona) issued statements affirming the right to peaceful protest and called for order during the demonstrations.
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