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‘No Kings' protests erupt in US cities over Trump's ‘authoritarian' policies
Tens of thousands of Americans attended rallies on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump's aggressive approach in major cities from New York to Atlanta to Los Angeles, on a day marred by the assassination of a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota. read more
Police break up a crowed during a "No Kings" protest in Dekalb County, near Atlanta, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo)
Thousands of demonstrators rallied across cities and towns in the United States on Saturday in widespread protests against the Trump administration, coinciding with President Donald Trump's scheduled military parade in Washington, D.C.
Branded as the 'No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance,' the protests were organised in response to what activists describe as a growing drift toward authoritarianism and the increasing militarisation of American governance. Organisers say this could mark the largest national protest movement since Trump took office for his second term.
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The Republican president recently deployed National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, a liberal stronghold, prompting a legal challenge from California Governor Gavin Newsom. The controversial move added further fuel to the demonstrations.
Close to 2,000 protests, varying in size and scope, were planned across the country to align with the parade. Protesters rallied under the slogan 'No Kings,' reinforcing the principle that no one — including the president — is above the law.
However, all demonstrations scheduled in Minnesota were called off following what Democratic Governor Tim Walz described as a 'politically motivated assassination' of a Democratic state legislator and the wounding of another, further intensifying political tensions.
'The ghastly targeted shootings of Sen. Hoffman and Rep. Hortman are not just horrific—they're acts of political extremism and an assault on our democracy itself,' said Democratic U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. 'This is where hate and violent rhetoric lead.'
Trump also condemned the shooting, saying, 'Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.'
People heading into Washington for the parade encountered a massive security presence, with some 18.5 miles (30 km) of 8-foot (2.4 m)-high black fencing, much of it reinforced with concrete traffic barriers, cordoning off streets and surrounding landmarks including the Washington Monument.
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The celebrations will cost the U.S. Army between $25 million and $45 million, U.S. officials have told Reuters. That includes the parade itself as well as the cost of moving equipment and housing and feeding the troops.
Critics have called the parade an authoritarian display of power that is wasteful, especially given that Trump has said he wants to slash costs throughout the federal government.
With inputs from agencies
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