'No Kings' protests scheduled in Oklahoma, US: Gov. Stitt says troopers 'stand ready'
As Oklahomans prepare to gather in protest against President Donald Trump, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has said state troopers are readying themselves in case of violence.
The "No Kings National Day of Defiance" has been planned for Saturday, June 14, in response to the Trump administration's policies and the U.S. Army's multimillion-dollar military parade to honor the military branch's 250th anniversary, planned for the same day.
The parade also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday and Flag Day, and comes amid the Los Angeles protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The L.A. protests have escalated after Trump deployed the National Guard to the state, an unusual step without the permission of the governor.
"President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday," the No Kings website states. "A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else ... From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like."
According to a social media post from Gov. Stitt, the Oklahoma state troopers "stand ready" in the event of "violence or lawlessness."
Oklahoma City will be one of hundreds of cities and towns holding "No Kings" protests.
Organized by two groups called Indivisible and 50501 — which were founded in response to Trump's first and second presidential elections, respectively — the rallies are meant to protest what the organization calls "increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies."
"We've watched as they've cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts," the No Kings OKC event page said. "They've done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies."
While Gov. Stitt said on social media that "peaceful assembly is allowed," he also gave a warning to protesters in case the rallies turn violent.
"In Oklahoma, we won't tolerate any threats to our communities, citizens, property owners or law enforcement," Stitt said. "Just like the summer of 2020, if they show up in our state, we will arrest anyone breaking the law — that's a fact."
Nonviolent action is a "core principle" of all No Kings events, the OKC event page said. The organization expects all those in attendance "to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values."
There will be 13 "No Kings" protests in Oklahoma, including three in Tulsa, in the following cities:
Oklahoma City
Tulsa
Bartlesville
Lawton
Ada
Ponca City
Tahlequah
McAlester
Ardmore
Durant
Idabel
The Oklahoma City "No Kings" protest will be a march beginning at the corner of Oklahoma City Boulevard and Hudson Avenue. Starting at 9 a.m., protesters will march 1.2 miles to City Hall Park, at 109 N. Hudson Ave.
The event is scheduled to end at noon after a rally outside City Hall.
Contributing: Margie Cullen, USA TODAY NETWORK
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 'No Kings' protests set across Oklahoma, US; Stitt says troopers ready
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