Latest news with #NationwideDayofDefiance
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'No Kings' rally planned for Saturday
EAU CLAIRE — Nationwide rallies are being planned this weekend to protest against President Donald Trump's policies, including a rally slated for Eau Claire on Saturday. The 'No Kings — Nationwide Day of Defiance' is slated to begin at noon at Owen Park. The plan is for protesters to march over the Lake Street Bridge, down Farwell or Barstow to the Haymarket Square. Then, cross the bridge at Phoenix Park. The Eau Claire Democratic Party lists details of the plans on its website. A similar event is planned for 4-5:30 p.m. in Chippewa Falls at Chippewa Riverfront Park, at the roundabout at the corner of River Street and Highway 124. Dana Wachs, an Eau Claire attorney and former Democratic State Assembly member, is hopeful for a good turnout. Wachs said the rallies nationwide have picked up steam after President Trump opted to send the National Guard and the U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, although Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom did not request the troops be activated and sent there. 'This is a reaction to the martial law-like activities this president has decided to invoke,' Wachs said. 'We've worked so hard to have a democracy, and he's trying to undermine it. This is very unusual. We don't need a king, and we don't want one. This has got to stop. He's [flirting] around the edge of a dictatorship, and it's got to stop. It isn't funny.' The last time a president has sent the National Guard to a state without the request of a governor was in 1965. Newsom has since filed a lawsuit against Trump, arguing that it was unlawful for Trump to send troops to Los Angeles. Wachs contends that the Los Angeles police could have handled any protests in that city, and the national troops aren't necessary. 'It seems like an unnecessary escalation out there,' Wachs said. Cynthia Greening of Chippewa Valley Indivisible said the rallies are in response not only to the military in Los Angeles, but also the U.S. Army parade in Washington D.C., at the same time Congress is looking at the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would cut funding for SNAP food share benefits, Social Security, Medicaid and public schools. 'Across all 50 states, millions will gather to declare: The president is not a king,' Greening wrote in a press release Thursday. 'No Kings is a nationwide day of celebration of 'we the people.' 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.' All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and are working closely with local partners to ensure peaceful and powerful actions nationwide. For more information on Saturday's rally in Eau Claire, visit
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas National Guard on standby for ‘Day of Defiance' protests in Austin, San Antonio
AUSTIN (KXAN) – Following heated protests against immigration enforcement actions in Austin and Dallas, and with more protests planned this weekend, Gov. Abbott is calling on the Texas Army National Guard 'to help law enforcement maintain order' and 'ensure peace.' 'We want to make sure that what has happened in California does not happen in Texas,' Abbott said Wednesday. 'Texas is a law and order state and we will use every tool that we can to ensure order.' The Texas Army National Guard will be used in Austin and San Antonio, at least, both cities confirmed. This comes as hundreds of protests — dubbed the 'No Kings' Nationwide Day of Defiance by Indivisible, a progressive activist organization — are expected to take place across the country on Saturday. KXAN found at least 63 Texas locations listed online where anti-Trump demonstrations are advertised to take place this weekend, fueled by recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids targeting undocumented immigrants. In central Texas, that includes Austin, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Lockhart, Pflugerville and Taylor. Austin's protest is listed as taking place on the Capitol grounds. KXAN confirmed the organizers of the 'No Kings' event obtained proper authorization to do so by the Texas State Preservation Board. 'A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action,' according to the organization's website. 'We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.' KXAN called at least 15 Texas cities from the group's online list. At least eight — Arlington, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fredericksburg, Houston, Pflugerville and Seguin — said they were aware of and prepared for protests. None that responded knew if the Guard would be used. Austin Mayor: Texas National Guard on standby to assist DPS during protests 'For safety and tactical purposes, we're not going to get into specifics about any security plans,' said Tim Ciesco with the Arlington Police Department. 'But we are aware of the demonstration that is planned for Saturday and we will be monitoring.' A spokesperson for the city of Dallas, which experienced tense protests on Monday, said it is 'aware a group is planning a protest.' El Paso said it has not requested the Texas Army National Guard but is 'monitoring planned local demonstrations in coordination with local law enforcement and other public safety partners to support peaceful expression and maintain public order,' according to a spokesperson. At a news conference Wednesday, officials from San Antonio said the governor's announcement caught them by surprise, saying Alamo City didn't 'get any advance warning.' 'Do I wish they would? Sure,' said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, who added his city will 'plan for the worst and we hope, of course, for the best.' 'Exercise your right to free speech but I urge you to keep it lawful and peaceful,' said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. 'Disruption, destruction, is never appropriate, nor will it be tolerated.' Similarly, Austin City Mayor Kirk Watson confirmed the city was told the Texas National Guard will be 'prepared to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety on Saturday, if deemed necessary.' KXAN asked the governor's office about that but didn't get an answer as of this report. Abbott's announcement comes a day after he sent a warning on social media to protesters who 'cross the line' writing 'FAFO' — an acronym for 'f— around and find out.' The governor repeated that on Wednesday at a bill signing when asked what he meant by protesters who 'cross the line.' 'That leads to F-A-F-O?,' he said laughing. 'Violating the law. You break the law, you've crossed the line, you will be arrested.' 'We want to make sure that what has happened in California, does not happen in Texas,' he added. 'Texas is a law and order state and we will use every tool that we can to ensure order.' The governor would only say the Texas National Guard is ready in 'strategic locations' but would not say how many or where. 'The State of Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary personnel and resources to uphold law and order across our state,' said the governor's press secretary Andrew Mahaleris. 'Texas National Guard soldiers are on standby in areas where mass demonstrations are planned in case they are needed.' 'Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles,' Mahaleris added. 'Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be swiftly held accountable to the full extend of the law.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tensions rise, NC protests grow against ICE activity
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Community organizers plan to hold additional anti-Trump Administration demonstrations across North Carolina, partly in response to immigration raids and . Several advocacy organizations in Charlotte met Monday in Uptown to rally against ICE raids. Dozens of attendees from the airport workers' union 32BJ SEIU, Housing Justice Coalition CLT, and other groups called for the release of David Huerta from federal detention. Huerta, a California labor leader, was arrested while protesting outside a business where ICE agents were investigating. He was released from custody on a $50,000 bond and now faces charges of Rallies are scheduled in Charlotte, Monroe, Concord, Waxhaw and Rock Hill for Saturday, June 14 in connection with the national . The event was planned in early May, before the activity in Los Angeles, . The organization noted working with a coalition of partners to declare Flag Day a 'Nationwide Day of Defiance.' The date also lines up with the U.S. Army's celebration of its 250th year, and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. Organizers in Charlotte said the interest in the event has increased in the past several weeks, prompting them to move the rally to They plan to have a series of speakers and a 1.4-mile march. Groups in Raleigh intend to gather outside the Capitol building on Tuesday as lawmakers discuss legislation to strengthen enforcement efforts. would compel local law enforcement agents to verify any detainee's immigration status and notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents if the person is not a documented citizen. NC Republicans push forward two immigration enforcement bills Advocates with the North Carolina Democratic Party told Queen City News' reporting partner in Raleigh that they're calling for an end to ICE raids nationwide. 'It's no longer deportation, right? That is a system,' said Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. 'What we're seeing right now is people being kidnapped, honestly, across the country, people being taken from their homes, their communities, people being racially targeted and profiled across the country right now.' U.S. Representative Alma Adams (NC-12) expressed similar sentiments in a statement Monday, denouncing the president's decision to deploy National Guardsmen to Los Angeles. 'This decision was fueled by the president's ego, not by what was best for the people of Los Angeles, and we cannot let him continue to weaponize the executive branch against our communities,' Adams said. 'Republicans in Congress should join Democrats in standing up for our citizens and reining in the executive overreach from the White House.' , along with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, to commemorate the 250th Army anniversary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Will be met with very big force': Donald Trump's stern warning to protesters in Washington; security tightened in DC ahead of US Army's 250th parade
Donald Trump US President Donald Trump has warned demonstrators planning to protest during the upcoming military parade in Washington that they would face 'very big force." Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump issued a blunt message. 'For those people that want to protest, they're going to be met with very big force,' he said. 'And I haven't even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force. ' The event on Saturday marks the 250th anniversary of the US Army and coincides with the MAGA chief's 79th birthday. The day will feature an Army festival on the National Mall, a military parade through the capital, and a mass enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony led by the president. Law enforcement is preparing for massive crowds. According to US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool, thousands of personnel from federal and local agencies will be deployed. 'At least nine permits have been issued for protests on that day,' he confirmed. Both the FBI and Metropolitan Police have said there are no credible threats. ' Nationwide Day of Defiance ' One of the major organisers of nationwide protests is a group called No Kings. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like May 2025: Top 5 Dividend Stocks [Read Now] Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo On its website, the group says, 'They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.' The group has opted not to protest in Washington itself, accusing Trump of turning the parade into 'a made-for-TV display of dominance.' Instead, they are calling for a 'Nationwide Day of Defiance' to draw attention to what they describe as authoritarian politics under Trump. POTUS's action regarding LA protests The president also defended his recent decision to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, after protests broke out over immigration raids. 'Los Angeles was under siege until we got there,' Trump said, although state officials argue that the military deployment has only worsened tensions. While Trump cited violent episodes, including torched vehicles and attacks on officers, protest supporters say most demonstrations have been peaceful. Trump claimed without evidence that many protesters were 'paid insurrectionists.' The president's stance mirrors his long history of strong support for law enforcement and scepticism towards protest movements. In 2020, during nationwide unrest after George Floyd's killing, he reportedly asked military leaders if protesters could be shot. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have strongly condemned the decision to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles. Former presidential candidate Kamala Harris has also joined in the criticism. Many other Democratic leaders have criticised Trump's decision to deploy force without the state's permission, calling him a 'dictator.' Trump's birthday and US Army's 250th parade in DC A grand military parade is set to take place in Washington, DC on June 14 to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Army's founding. The day also happens to be Trump's 79th birthday, and he is expected to speak at the event. Organised by the US Army and America250 commission, the celebration will include historical and modern military displays, fireworks, a parachute show by the Golden Knights, and a concert on the National Mall. About 200,000 people are expected to attend. The main parade route runs along Constitution Avenue, with standing room only for spectators. Security will be tight, as the event has been labelled a National Special Security Event by the Department of Homeland Security. Entry will be limited to specific checkpoints, and several items like drones, chairs, and large bags are banned. Roads, flights, metro stations, and river access will face temporary disruptions. Concerns have been raised over damage from heavy tanks, prompting the Army Corps of Engineers to install steel plates to protect roads. The event is expected to cost between $25 million and $45 million, including possible road repairs. Trump defended the spending, calling it a valuable show of strength.
