City of Lawton, U.S. Army Fort Sill cancel Army birthday parade due to security threats
LAWTON, Okla. (KFOR) — The City of Lawton and U.S. Army Fort Sill announced Thursday evening the cancellation of this year's Army Birthday Parade due to what they say are credible security threats.
In a social media post, the City of Lawton said they coordinated with the Lawton Police Department and Fort Sill leadership to decide on the cancellation of the parade, which was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 14.
The threats come in the midst of planned protests.
Space research plane to be stationed in Oklahoma
This parade has long been a treasured tradition—one that celebrates the strength of the U.S. Army and the unwavering support of the Lawton-Fort Sill community. However, the shared responsibility to protect both citizens and service members must come first.
The strength of the Lawton-Fort Sill bond is built on trust, resilience, and shared purpose—and that remains as strong as ever.
We stand together in the belief that community celebration should never come at the cost of community safety.
Thank you for your understanding, your resilience, and your continued support.
City of Lawton
The parade was scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on Saturday and was planned to begin at Central Plaza.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Flag Day salutes to mark Army's 250th birthday in Newport Beach, Dana Point
Even as anti-Trump protesters across the nation participate in 'No Kings Day' demonstrations Saturday, including several such gatherings in Orange County to counter the military parade the president has called for in Washington, D.C., a couple of traditional local Flag Day ceremonies are planned. The occasion will be marked in Newport Beach on Saturday, with a community Flag Day event hosted by Sara Weber, a member of the City Council, to celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army. The event, which starts at 11:30 a.m. and runs until noon, will feature 250 U.S. flags that were installed Thursday on the Newport Beach Civic Center lawn. Newport Beach resident Keira Wilkes will sing the national anthem, the presentation of colors will be led by Commander Brian Fleming of American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 and the flag-folding ceremony will be overseen by Orange County Boy Scouts. Assemblywoman Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) will address those gathered for the event. Following her remarks, Weber will introduce veteran Angelo Pasciuti. Parking is available adjacent to the Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Drive, in the parking structure. Farther south along the coastline, Baby Beach in Dana Point will be the venue for O.C. Supervisor Katrina Foley's annual Flag Day festivities, also on Saturday and also featuring 250 American flags. This ceremony is to honor of all military personnel, firefighters, police officers, medical personnel, and other first responders, according to organizers. Hours are 2 to 4 p.m. The ceremony will be led by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934. Baby Beach is located at 34451 Ensenada Place. 'No Kings Day' demonstrations are also planned to take place along the coast, from Seal Beach to Dana Point, according to organizers, including one in Newport Beach. — Daily Pilot Staff
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
West Palm police warn of traffic delays, extreme heat ahead of 'No Kings' march to Mar-a-Lago
WEST PALM BEACH — Police are urging the public to prepare for traffic delays and extreme heat on June 14, as large-scale demonstrations are expected to draw crowds to downtown West Palm Beach. The demonstrations are part of a nationwide movement dubbed 'No Kings National Day of Defiance.' Meant to protest President Donald Trump's administration, these rallies coincide with both his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary military parade in Washington, D.C. Locally, the protest will include a caravan and march to Mar-a-Lago, and a rally at Meyer Amphitheater in West Palm Beach. More than 1,000 are expected to participate across Palm Beach County, including in Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach and Boca Raton. 'No Kings': Everything you need to know about the anti-Trump protests on Saturday, June 14 in Palm Beach County Lev Parnas, a former associate of Rudy Giuliani and a onetime Trump insider-turned-critic, will deliver the keynote address at the Meyer Amphitheatre. The event will feature a lineup of speakers on topics ranging from gun control and women's rights to LGBTQ+ protections and veterans' issues. The West Palm Beach Police Department issued an advisory June 13 urging drivers to steer clear of downtown, warning of heavier-than-normal traffic throughout the area. 'Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead,' the department said. 'Several roadways may be impacted as the events unfold.' Forecasters also predict temperatures will climb into the mid-to-high 90s, raising the risk of heat exhaustion for those outside. The police department's spokesperson, Rachel Leitão, encouraged demonstrators and attendees to drink water, wear light-colored, breathable clothing, limit strenuous activity, apply sunscreen and seek shade regularly. The police department said it supports the right to peaceful assembly and will be present to ensure public safety. 'We are committed to the safety of all participants and members of the public,' Leitão said. 'Please stay aware of your surroundings and take care in the heat.' Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Police issue heat advisory ahead of 'No King's protest in West Palm Beach
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
At ‘No Kings' protests against Trump, remember this civil rights icon
Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to hit the streets on Saturday as a way to push back against President Donald J. Trump's self-serving military parade, and Flag Day and birthday (his) celebration. The spectacle in downtown Washington, D.C., estimated to cost U.S. taxpayers north of $50 million when it's all said and done, is to mark, in the most ostentatious way, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. As someone whose brother and three uncles (as well as numerous other friends and relatives) served in that proud military branch, I wholeheartedly agree that it is a birthday worth noting. But President Trump, as is his wont, has turned it into a gaudy celebration of him worthy of an authoritarian regime because it's his birthday . . . sheesh. Opinion: Trump's mass deportations hurt Floridians like these. It's a shame to US values. Cue the concerns that this has a lot of people feeling some kind of way; and rightly so given the growing tension around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids from Tallahassee to Omaha to San Diego. (I won't get into the hypocrisy compared to the deadly Jan. 6 insurrectionists' attack on the U.S. Capitol Building.) And coming as it is, in the wake of the president siccing the California National Guard and U.S. Marines on largely peaceful protesters in Los Angeles over the past week, the planned Russian-style military procession of troops, tanks and missiles in our nation's capitol is all the more galling to many citizens. So much so that the arrests and detainment of several hundred protesters, so far, have inspired some 1,800 "No Kings Day" protests throughout the country — including Palm Beach County. To be sure, there have been a relative handful of rioters and looters who've taken advantage of the situation by burning several cars, defacing storefronts and even throwing water bottles at police. Thankfully no law enforcement has been reported injured. But police have also responded with force using batons and firing rubber bullets to quell the violence. That's why during these "No Kings Day" protests, I implore those exercising their right to peaceful assembly to indeed follow the lead of one king: Martin Luther King, Jr. Remember, King made "peaceful protests" the centerpiece of the Civil Rights Movement. And it was effective. Opinion: There are a trillion issues with the Big Beautiful Bill. Tax cuts are a big one. Yes, there were plenty of doubters along the way, both inside and outside of the movement. How could there not be when you're being beaten, bloodied and fire-hosed every day. Imagine the intestinal fortitude needed to not strike back, or return the next day after watching you wife or child being attacked by a police dog. But King's message of "passive resistance" through peaceful boycotts, sit-ins and protests, from the streets to the lunch counters, no matter your pain or anger is what eventually won the day. It's a hard lesson lost on many of us today seeking instant gratification rather than strapping in for the long haul. Over and over again, King stressed that returning fire only played into their attackers' hands. It's worth mentioning here that King didn't have to contend with "edited" video and deepfakes on social media. But that violence only gave them the excuse to do even more terrible things, and eventually drown out the message of treating people humanely. Today's protests, and those to come, are an opportunity to show those lessons are not lost. Peace. Rick Christie is the Florida State Opinion Group Editor for the USA Today Network-Florida and Interim Editorial Page Editor for The Palm Beach Post. You can email him at RChristie@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: At Trump protests, remember Martin Luther King Jr. | Opinion
