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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Free America' anti-Trump protests on Fourth of July: All you need to know
The Fourth of July is dawning near. But as it turns out, the day's parades and festivities may hold a different meaning for multiple groups planning to hold rallies and public demonstrations on the day. The 'Free America' protests are being marked as a 'No Kings 2.0' parade against President Donald Trump's policies and the changing state of the country. The 'Free America' protests will take place on the Fourth of July.(Getty Images via AFP) Here's a look at the protest events being organized by different organizations in the country: The Women's March is a grassroots-level organization that came into being following Trump's first election victory in 2017. 'This July 4th, while the U.S. marks Independence Day, we'll gather across the country—on porches, in town squares, backyards, and streets—to stand for real freedom and build a vision of a Free America brick by brick. Free America is wherever we are. Free America is whatever we make it,' says their official website. The group plans to hold about 199 Free America events across the US as of July 1. These are the locations for events scheduled to take place in New England: • Providence, RI • Fairfield, CT • Milford, CT • West Hartford, CT • Swansea, MA • Freeport, ME • Portland, ME • Shelburne, VT An event is also scheduled to happen in Rhode Island. 50501 The Women's March's Rhode Island event will be handled by the 50501 (50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement) organization at 7:30 p.m. at the Rhode Island State House, Smith Street side, on the 4th of July. 'This 4th of July, we gather to honor its spirit of dissent and stand together for the freedom, justice, and dignity every community deserves,' reads a social media post issued by the group. Indivisible Multiple local chapters of Indivisible, a movement started in retaliation for Trump's policies, are organizing rallies on July 4. These 'No Kings 2.0 rallies' are scheduled to happen in multiple venues including Rhode Island and the Massachusetts border in Swansea. Exact locations for the protests can be found on Indivisible's map on their official website. 'This Independence Day, join OCI as we rally to defend democracy and reject authoritarianism in all forms,' says the Topsfield event page. 'On the anniversary of our break from monarchy, we stand united to say: Not now. Not ever. No kings in America.' The People's Union USA Previously responsible for the February 'economic blackout', The People's Union USA is a grassroots-level advocacy group that aims to 'hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable'. The movement plans on holding a 'silent protest' this Independence Day. 'Back in February, we announced a clear plan, a string of economic blackouts leading to one of the most symbolic dates in this country: July 4th,' said John Schwarz, leader of the organization in a social media post. 'With everything happening, war threats, ICE raids, and unchecked corruption, we are not free. We are not independent. To celebrate as if we are is dishonest.' The post calls for no parades, no public firework shows, and no big box store spending on July 4. 'If you do anything, support small, local businesses, or stay home with your loved ones. Let silence speak louder than fireworks,' he added. The 'No Kings' protest was held earlier this year on the day of the Memorial Day Parade to rally against Trump's violent crackdown on protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles. By Stuti Gupta
Time Magazine
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
Anti-Trump Protests Planned Across U.S. on July 4
This July 4, some Americans are planning to retire their Independence Day barbecues and instead head to the streets in protest against President Donald Trump and his Administration. The collective demonstrations will be the latest in a long line of protests that have taken place since Trump returned to the White House for a second term. On June 14, as Trump held a national military parade in Washington, D.C.,–the largest the capital city has seen in decades—people across the U.S. gathered for counter-action, attending "No Kings" protests to publicly 'reject authoritarianism.' Ahead of the big day, Trump had warned that 'people that want to protest will be met with big force,' saying participants are 'people that hate our country.' Amid the 'No Kings' activism, states across the U.S. also encountered immigration protests as people demonstrated against the Trump Administration's ICE raids. The protests notably started in Los Angeles and garnered national and international attention, especially after Trump deployed the National Guard, and later the Marines, to quell the demonstrations, without the request of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The decision resulted in much criticism and a legal battle, with an appeals court ultimately ruling that Trump was allowed to keep control of the National Guard in L.A. In April, people gathered across the U.S. and international cities such as London, Paris, and Stockholm to protest against the actions of Trump and his then-ally, former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) lead Elon Musk. (The former allies have since had a very public falling out.) Now, a fresh round of protests are set to take place on July 4, America's Independence Day. Here's what we know about the planned action. Women's March organizes 'Free America Weekend' Women's March, which coordinates protests across the U.S. against sexism and oppression, has published a list of over 140 events set to take place on July 4. The displays of protest range from rallies and marches to block parties. Women's March has invited communities across the country to create even more events. Per the organization, the Free America Weekend aims to highlight key issues being faced by people across the U.S., such as poverty, unlawful orders, and 'the grip of hate and the politics of fear.' "This July 4th, while the U.S. marks Independence Day, we'll gather across the country—on porches, in town squares, backyards, and streets—to stand for real freedom and build a vision of a Free America, brick-by-brick," reads a statement within Women March's call for action. 'They want us scared, divided, and alone. They don't want us to dream about freedom. But that's exactly what we have to do," said the organization. 'No Kings 2.0' demonstrations After widespread 'No Kings' protests took place throughout the U.S. on June 14, another round of demonstrations are set to take place on July 4. 'No Kings 2.0' events have been scheduled in Wisconsin, Louisiana and Wyoming, along with at least ten other locations across the U.S. While the 'No Kings' protests in June were notably rallying against 'authoritarianism,' the event page for Wisconsin's July 4 rally in Green Bay says that the focus this time is on ICE raids and activity amid Trump's nationwide immigration crackdown. The protest event page encourages those attending to stand up for 'community, justice [in] solidarity with our immigrant neighbors.' In June, ICE arrests conducted in Trump's second term reportedly reached over 100,000. Organizers of 'No Kings 2.0' events in Louisiana and Wyoming have stressed non-violent demonstrations as a core principle of the gatherings. What other protests are being held on July 4? Locals are planning a demonstration outside Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. Protesters are scheduled to gather near the estate on the evening of July 4, equipped with a large balloon depicting the President as a baby. A similar balloon was hoisted above Trump's Florida residence on Juneteenth in 2020, in protest against the treatment of Black Americans, in the weeks after the killing of George Floyd. "We're supposed to be celebrating America's independence, and I felt a moral responsibility to stand up and declare our independence from Trump-ism," Mark Offerman, a local activist, told Palm Beach Daily News. Meanwhile, The People's Union USA is encouraging Americans to stay at home on July 4, boycotting large corporations and avoiding parades and firework displays in a show of solidarity against wealth inequality and ICE raids. Instead, The People's Union USA, who organized the 'Economic Blackout' in February, wants people to focus on supporting their communities and buying locally. Founder John Schwarz has called it the 'most important boycott of the year.' 'Do not wave a flag for a country that no longer waves it for you,' Schwarz said in a video. 'The 4th of July is supposed to be a celebration of freedom, but what freedom are we actually talking about?'
