4 days ago
No King protests, Army parade to hit Philly streets this weekend
Hours before Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade takes over D.C. on Saturday, a smaller-scale military parade will march down Philly streets — as will anti-President Trump protesters.
The big picture: Demonstrations are planned in hundreds of cities to run counter to Trump's parade in D.C., which marks the Army's 250th birthday and coincides with his birthday.
It comes after protests popped across the U.S. this week, including in Philly, in solidarity with demonstrators in Los Angeles.
The president has vowed that parade protests will be met with " very big force."
🪖 Driving the news: The Army's 250th birthday celebrations in Philadelphia kick off Friday and run through Sunday, with events across historic sites in the city and Valley Forge.
That includes Saturday's military and civilian parade from Arch Street to Independence Mall at 1:20pm, featuring marching bands, service members and re-enactors.
The Penn & Franklin Chapter of the Association of the United States Army is hosting the events in the Philly region.
What they're saying: The Army celebration in Philly is a non-partisan event, spokesperson Erica Liermann tells Axios.
"It's not focused on the president's agenda or any political objectives," she adds.
🪧 Meanwhile, Philly's " No Kings" protest will step off from LOVE Park in Center City at noon. Protesters plan to march to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Rocky Steps for a rally at 1pm.
Protests are also planned in Ardmore, Havertown and Norristown.
Between the lines: Vicki Miller, group leader of rally organizer Indivisible Philadelphia, tells Axios that there are no plans to protest against the Army celebrations in the city.
The rally aims to be a public display against Trump and his agenda.
"He's trying to be a king. And we say no kings," she says.
Philadelphia police spokesperson Sgt. Eric Gripp tells Axios the department is balancing public safety concerns with protecting civil liberties.
"As with all demonstrations, our priority is to facilitate peaceful protest, prevent violence or disorder, and protect the rights of all residents, businesses and participants," he said.
Zoom out: Days of protests in Los Angeles over federal immigration enforcement raids have sparked demonstrations in cities around the country. Several protesters turned out Monday in Philly's Old City, per NBC.
The Trump administration has federalized California's National Guard, despite opposition from state officials, and mobilized hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles.
On Tuesday, Trump said other cities across the country can expect large-scale ICE operations.
