Mass protests during Trump's military parade shows a US more divided than ever
A military parade celebrated the 250th anniversary of the US Army, and coincided with the President Trump's 79th birthday – but with protests raging in cities across the country, many feel there isn't much to celebrate, ITV News' Stacey Foster reports
It has been a week in America.When I arrived in Downtown Los Angeles, there was tension and unrest as protests against ICE immigration raids in the city had turned violent. The very next evening, we witnessed aggression on both sides. Police lines forcing crowds back, fireworks thrown, rubber bullets being fired, tear gas, pepper spray.Our back-watcher pointed out a man, in the city alone, with a hammer in his backpack.
President Trump had expressed alarm that some protesters were using hammers to smash the road and create rocks to use as projectiles against the police.
We didn't see the man with the back pack do this and it wasn't clear whether he was planning to.
We also saw the US military in LA. The national guard standing in front of Federal buildings. We did not see the US Marines, but President Trump had controversially deployed them to the area against the wishes of Gavin Newsom, California's Governor.
But then, on the East coast there was a show of American strength that was very different. For the first time in its history, the US held a military parade with tanks seen only in times of war, rolling down the streets of Washington DC, 7000 marching soldiers and hundreds of aircraft rocket launchers and military machinery.
All this on display in front of thousands of on-lookers including the President of the United States who said it was about time that America celebrated its military victories. Despite long political speeches on Saturday evening in the lead up to the US Army's 250th anniversary celebration, the President stayed on-script, addressing the crowds for around ten minutes before a rather muted rendition of 'Happy Birthday' as this was also his 79th birthday.
There are also many challenges for the Trump administration… as protests against his policies rippled across America, not just in LA but in Vermont, New York, San Francisco, even in deep 'red' Republican Idaho.
So-called 'No Kings' protesters took to the streets in numbers, they say, rejecting Trump's authoritarianism.The on-going escalation in the Middle East is also a moment in history for a President who promised to bring peace to that region as part of his second term in office. President Trump has wanted a military parade since attending the Bastille Day celebrations in France in 2017.He got his birthday wish this year, but at a time when many in this country feel there is little to celebrate.
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