June 14 isn’t just Flag Day — it’s also Donald Trump’s birthday. And this year, he’s planning this huge military parade in Washington, D.C., with tanks and soldiers and all that. A lot of folks aren’t loving the idea. They say it feels more like something a dictator would do, not a president in a democracy.
Because of that, this big movement called “No Kings” is organizing protests in cities all across the country. We’re talking thousands of people in over 1,500 locations. They’re not going to Washington, though — the idea is to show that real power lives in local communities, not just in D.C.
Where the Protests Are Happening
If you’re wondering whether something is happening near you, the answer is probably yes. These protests are pretty spread out — almost every major city has one planned. Some of the main spots include:
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Kansas City is seeing a bunch of events pop up. Protesters there are saying the parade looks more like a “power show” than a celebration.
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Seattle has rallies planned in places like Cal Anderson Park and the University of Washington. A ton of community groups are behind it.
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In Detroit, they’re doing a big rally in Clark Park with speeches and music. Even some local leaders, like Rep. Rashida Tlaib, are expected to show up.
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Chicago’s got a bunch of events too, including a large one at Daley Plaza.
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Houston will see a morning gathering at City Hall with other suburban protests nearby.
If you can’t make it to one of these, odds are there's still a local version near you. Organizers are listing everything online.
Why People Are Upset About the Parade
Honestly, this protest isn’t just about a parade. It’s more about what that parade represents. Trump’s parade is costing millions and includes military tanks and fighter jets. For a lot of people, that just feels... off. Like, why do we need that kind of military display in the first place?
People backing the “No Kings” movement say it reminds them of authoritarian countries — where leaders show off military power to look strong or scary. That’s why they’re saying “no kings.” The whole message is that no one — not even a former president — should act like they rule the country. We’re supposed to be a democracy, not a monarchy.
How to Get Involved If You Want To
If you feel like you want to be part of this, it’s honestly not that hard to join in. The groups behind it — like Indivisible and others — have made it pretty easy to find events. You can:
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Check the No Kings or Indivisible websites — they have updated maps with all the protest locations.
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Look on Mobilize and other local event boards. You can search by city and see what’s planned.
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If you're going, just remember — these events are meant to be peaceful. Organizers are training volunteers in de-escalation, and they’re asking folks to keep it respectful.
Also, they’ve said there’s no plan to protest in D.C.. That’s on purpose. They want the focus on local action — where people actually live and vote.
