What is 'No Kings' day? What to know about Texas protests on June 14, Trump's birthday
Thousands of protests are set to take place across the United States this weekend in response to administration policies under President Donald Trump.
The 'No Kings National Day of Mobilizations' comes as protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles have escalated after President Trump deployed the National Guard to the state, an unusual step without the permission of the governor.
Texas officials have taken similar measures, as Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed this week that he will deploy the National Guard to cities throughout the state amid ongoing protests in San Antonio and Austin.
Here's what we know.
The protests are scheduled for Saturday, the same day the Trump administration has planned a pomp-filled military parade in Washington, D.C., for Flag Day, which is also Trump's birthday.
The demonstrations are organized by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of progressive political action groups, which states that it is organizing 'to reject corrupt, authoritarian politics.'
'They've defied our courts, deported citizens, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, slashed essential services, and handed billions to their allies. Enough is enough,' a press release states. 'This country doesn't belong to a king — and we're not letting him throw himself a parade funded by tens of millions of our taxpayer dollars while stealing from us and stripping away our rights, our freedoms, and the programs our families rely on.'
The website nokings.org adds that the day is to "gather to remind President Trump and his enablers: America has No King!"
June 14 is Flag Day, which this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. To celebrate, the U.S. Army is holding a military parade that will cross in front of Trump's viewing stand and bisect the National Mall. It is expected to include 7,500 soldiers and 120 vehicles, and is estimated to cost up to $45 million.
It is also Trump's 79th birthday. Trump has long wanted to hold military parades, pushing for them twice during his first term. However, his former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis objected to the idea as a politicization of the military.
In response to the parade and other grievances with the Trump administration, No Kings is planning protests nationwide.
'President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else,' says the website. '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.'
Trump has promised retaliation for protesters, stating on June 10 that "they're going to be met with very big force."
Several Texas cities are expected to hold rallies for "No Kings Day of Mobilizations" this weekend. You can find one near you on this map.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What does 'No Kings' mean? Anti-Trump protests planned on his birthday
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