Latest news with #NoTyrants
Euronews
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Best and funniest signs from mass No Kings protests against Trump
A stone throw's away from the American embassy in Amsterdam this weekend was held a "No Kings" protest. Except it was dubbed "No Tyrants", as countries with constitutional monarchies sought to avoid confusion with anti-monarchic movements. This was one among thousands of similar protests that occurred over the weekend, all with the aim to denounce Donald Trump's overreach and to reject 'authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of (US) democracy.' The rallies, which follow the Hands Off! protests and the marches triggered by Trump sending in the National Guard in LA, were also a direct response to a military parade rolling through Washington that celebrated the US Army's 250th anniversary – and handily coincided with Trump's 79th birthday. The last US military parade was held by President George HW Bush in June 1991, celebrating the victory in the Gulf War. More than 2,000 protests were scheduled across all 50 US states last Saturday and organizers estimate that more than five million people participated. Several European territories like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, UK and Belgium saw protests organized by Democrats Abroad – and the Netherlands was no different. Outside the US consulate in Amsterdam gathered a few hundred people, and it was inspiring to see this crowd mobilize and to witness their fighting spirit. The speeches were short but passionate; the singing of 'America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)' was heartwarming; and the megaphoned demand that demonstrators take six steps back to avoid being on the bike path was one of the perfect and Dutch-appropriate interjections I've ever heard. The protest signs also showcased the creativity, humour and passion of those involved. Here are some of the best placards I saw at the Amsterdam's "No Tyrants" protest - and stay until the end for the cutest protestor ever: As part a growing new wave of Romanian cinema gaining international acclaim and a plethora of awards, Enescu, Skinned Alive, directed by Toma Enache, is now showing across Europe, with a recent screening at Lyon's historic arthouse Comoedia cinema. The biopic explores the complex personal life and creative genius of the revered Romanian composer George Enescu, whose legacy looms large in Romania but has rarely been portrayed on the silver screen. Central to the film is his love affair with Princess Maruca Cantacuzino - a relationship often misunderstood or sidelined in historical accounts. Director Toma Enache said he was inspired to make the film after visiting the George Enescu Memorial House: "When I got to the museum with his name, and I saw a photo of him, with his dog by his side, in the hotel room where he died alone, I told myself I must do a movie dedicated to George Enescu." "This wonder kid, same as Mozart, would compose at the age of 5, then go study at the Vienna Conservatory at the age of 8. Just 2 children under 8 have ever been admitted in the history of the conservatory and Enescu is one of them," he added. "Although his violin playing was the stuff of legend, he saw himself mainly as a composer. During the course of his extraordinary life he played to Brahms, studied with Fauré and Massenet, and knew Bartok, Strauss, Ravel, Debussy and Shostakovich. Pablo Casals, whom he accompanied on the piano, called him "the greatest musical phenomenon since Mozart". George Enescu was the man described by the acclaimed violinist Sir Yehudi Menuhin as "the Absolute by which I judge all others... the most extraordinary human being, the greatest musician and the most formative influence I have ever experienced." The film also aims to reframe the legacy of Princess Maruca, often depicted in negative terms. Actress Theodora Sandu, who plays the role, said she felt a responsibility to offer a more empathetic portrayal: "It was sort of my task to paint her an image that the public didn't really know because history books have not written very kindly of her, so I tried in a way to protect her image and give a different perspective on her life and the love story between her and George Enescu." The soundtrack includes works by George Enescu but also original music, composed by Sebastian Androne-Nakanishi, winner of the 2022 Composer of the Year title of the International Classic Music Awards.
South China Morning Post
15-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
‘Everything politicised': Tokyo protesters hold anti-Trump ‘No Kings' rally
A small but dedicated band of demonstrators took to the streets of Tokyo on Saturday, one of the first cities in the world to stage a 'No Crowns! No Kings! No Tyrants!' protest against the policies of United States President Donald Trump. Thousands of similar protests took place around the world and in all 50 US states on June 14, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the American army, coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday. The movement is aimed at opposing a rare military parade in Washington hosted by Trump, which comes days after unrest in Los Angeles over his immigration raids. The demonstration in front of Tokyo's busy Shibuya railway station was among the first in the world due to Japan's geographical location. Critics say the massive military parade that rolled through Washington on Saturday was a waste of around US$90 million in federal funds at a time when public services in America are being slashed. Others among the more than 20 protesters – including Japanese – defying the rain in Tokyo on Saturday gave a range of reasons for their presence.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Anti-Trump protesters in Ottawa join U.S. ‘No Kings' demonstrations
Protesters at a "No Tyrants" rally in Ottawa in support of U.S. "No Kings" protests opposing President Donald Trump on June 14, 2025. (Austin Lee/CTV News Ottawa) Opponents of President Donald Trump north of the border gathered near the American embassy in Ottawa Saturday, joining massive 'No Kings' demonstrations taking place in U.S. cities this weekend. Nearly 2,000 protests are sweeping major cities in the United States opposing Trump's immigration policies and his planned military parade in Washington D.C. on Saturday. The crowd in Ottawa held a 'No Tyrants' rally at the York Street steps before marching down Sussex Drive in front of the embassy. 'As a dual citizen, I'm extremely concerned that the country that I lived in for most of my life is under a dictatorship,' said demonstrator Jon Picard. 'It's alarming and there's not enough people that are doing enough to stop it.' No Tyrants rally Ottawa A sign at a demonstration against Donald Trump in Ottawa on June 14, 2025. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa) No Tyrants rally Demonstrators marching down Sussex Drive in Ottawa in front of the American embassy to protest President Donald Trump. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa) Originally from Maine, Picard says he's concerned about his friends and family in the United States. 'They see ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) coming into areas in my state, Maine, which is ridiculous, and they're frightened, they're frightened for their future,' he said. Protesters were seen holding Canadian flags along with signs expressing anti-fascist and pro-democracy sentiments. With the king serving as the Canadian head of state, organizers opted to use the language 'No Tyrants' over 'No Kings' and swapped 'No Crowns' for 'No Clowns.' 'I'm out here to be in solidarity with the American people and the trauma that they're going through right now and I'm also here as a patriotic Canadian and standing by Canada,' said demonstrator Laura Benne, a dual Canadian American citizen. 'If I can be honest, I'm terrified. It's frightening… I feel like a lot of people in the U.S. understand that what's happening in the United States right now is very similar to what was happening in Germany in the 1930s.' No Tyrants protest Ottawa Demonstrator Laura Benne, a dual citizen, says she's deeply concerned about Donald Trump's rhetoric towards Canada. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa) No Tyrants rally A sign at a rally protesting U.S. President Donald Trump at a rally in Ottawa on June 14, 2025. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa) No tyrants rally Ottawa Protesters at a "No Tyrants" rally in Ottawa on June 14, 2025. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa) Other rallies are planned in other Canadian cities, including Toronto and Vancouver. Saturday's parade in the U.S. capital is taking place to commemorate the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and happening on the same day as Trump's 79th birthday. It's expected to feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. The rallies are taking place following days of nationwide protests against Trump's federal immigration raids, including in Los Angeles, where the president deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Trump is expected to attend the three-day G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta. on Sunday, his first visit to Canada since the G7 was hosted in Charlevoix, Que. in 2018. With files from CTV News Ottawa's Austin Lee and The Associated Press
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More Than 1,800 'No Kings' Protests Aim for Nonviolent Pushback Against Trump Policies
If you've been online in the past month, you've probably seen the image of a gold crown with a red X through it—the branding for No Kings, the coalition behind Saturday's "national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration," as its website puts it. An offshoot of Indivisible, a nonprofit co-founded by political activist Leah Greenberg and attorney Ezra Levin, No Kings has rallied many progressive groups (including Planned Parenthood, MoveOn, and the ACLU) as well as a few conservative-leaning allies, reflecting its tagline: "In America, we don't do kings." On the eve of the June 14 mobilization—which some estimates say could draw up to 5 million marchers—Reason's Nancy Rommelmann spoke with Hunter Dunn, national press coordinator for 50501 ("50 Protests. 50 States. 1 Movement"), No Kings' partner in the event. Based in Los Angeles, Dunn discussed how the recent federal law enforcement incursion into the city has shaped the march, why his group is working without any police involvement, and the satisfaction of watching the bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk implode. Q: You had something a bit unexpected happen in Los Angeles last week. A: You would be very correct about that. Q: How has federal law enforcement being on the ground changed the No Kings march, if it has? A: Obviously, it's had a large impact. We're organizing in downtown Los Angeles, so we've been on the ground during those protests and during those ICE actions. We have a trained team of peacekeepers who specialize in de-escalation and protecting people, and they've had to shield our medical team with their bodies, while [medics were] administering aid, and have taken hits from direct shots from rubber bullets while doing that. Q: No Kings and 50501 have partnered with over 100 organizations, and there is publicity everywhere. Is it all grassroots, or are there deep-pocketed donors? A: If there's money, I haven't seen any of it! I'm a volunteer. And I can't speak for every organization that's part of it, but I can speak for ours. We're entirely grassroots and decentralized. We're not even an organization; we're a movement. And we're working together with other local community members and with people nationwide to make this happen. Q: There will be No Kings events in all 50 states. How many individual marches do you anticipate? A: Somewhere between 1,800 and 2,000, although that number includes protests in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and other countries. It's an international action because people across the world are seeing what's happening in America, and they want to protest in solidarity. They want to help us ensure that our constitutional rights are not going to be trampled on anymore. Q: I did have a chuckle out of them having events in England, where, well, they actually do have a king. A: In Canada, I heard it's called No Tyrants. But yeah, in some of the places they do have a king, but the king has a lot less power than our local king does. Their kings are rather ceremonial, and their rule of law is better protected right now than ours is. Q: The No Kings website emphasizes that events are completely nonviolent—no weapons of any kind, even if they're licensed. The National Guard being mobilized here in L.A., as well as increased LAPD presence and potentially the Marines, axiomatically changes the anticipated dynamic of the day. How have you had to pivot? A: The past week has emphasized the importance of safety and working with local community leaders to ensure that our side remains nonviolent and peaceful. I can't say the same for the other side. Local and federal law enforcement, in Los Angeles especially, have reacted violently to nonviolent protestors. But I can promise that the movement I'm part of, and the local organizers I'm working with, we're all dedicated to championing the cause of nonviolence. Not just because it's moral, but because it's more effective. Historically speaking in modern countries, post-World War II, civil nonviolent resistance is significantly more effective than armed resistance. So it's not just a moral question, it's a practical question. However, I cannot say the same for the government. They have been directly inciting violence; I don't know what else you'd call shooting rubber bullets. If you did that in another country, if you shot journalists and medics with less lethal weapons, that would be considered a war crime. Q: Is No Kings working in coordination with any law enforcement? A: I have not spoken to a single organizer who is working with local law enforcement in Los Angeles. We are not because right now, they are the biggest threat to our protestors. Q: Some people who are attending No Kings rallies have asked if it is also an LGBTQ event or also a pro-Palestine event. A friend in Dallas was perplexed that comedian Paula Poundstone would be among the featured speakers there. A: It is a very broad gathering, in the sense of political views. Obviously, there will be more people on the left involved, but we have people on the right and center marching with us. One of the most prominent speakers at any rally is Joe Walsh, who ran for president in 2020 as a Republican. We have plenty of conservatives in our movement. There are plenty of centrist and even people on the right who believe it's more important to put aside some of their policy differences to protect our country from authoritarianism. Q: Have you gotten pushback from either the community or different political factions? A: We haven't really gotten pushback. I think part of the beauty of our movement is that, broadly speaking, it speaks to the need of communities, regardless of if they're historically red or blue. That's the entire point behind 50501. Plenty of states are conservative, right? Yet we're seeing rallies with tens of thousands of people in very, very red areas because this isn't about party. This is about country, and this is about the Constitution, and this is about freedom, and this is about the most basic fundamental protections that all people deserve, that are being trampled on right now by our government. Q: Since you are obviously not a fan of President Donald Trump, I'm going to assume you are also not a fan of Elon Musk. Does No Kings have an opinion on the breakup of the two billionaires? A: I can speak to 50501's position, and there are two elements to it. One of them is, it's heartwarming that the worst people are fighting. The other is, Elon is correct; they should release the Epstein files. 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