On Saturday, over 1,500 rallies dubbed “Kings No Day” are set to take place in hundreds of cities across all 50 states, opposing President Trump during the Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C.
The organizer’s website, nokings.org, outlines planned protests in both the U.S. and Canada, describing it as “a national day of action and mass mobilization” against the perceived authoritarianism and corruption of the Trump administration.
Jamie Bauer, the president of No Kings, mentioned that New York City could see crowds exceeding 75,000 people.
Comparatively, the protests following George Floyd’s death in the summer of 2020 attracted 25,000 participants. A source from law enforcement indicated they are preparing for similar turnout this Saturday.
Security measures are being heightened at key locations, including the George Washington Bridge and various bus terminals.
The No Kings website advises participants to stay on sidewalks and avoid blocking traffic.
Authorities have noted that while they aren’t overly concerned about organized groups like Rise and Resist, they remain vigilant about potentially disruptive individuals within the crowd.
Here’s a breakdown of where the protests will be held in New York City:
Manhattan
The main march is scheduled to begin at 2 PM ET from Bryant Park, proceeding down 5th Avenue to Madison Square Park.
A second event, known as the “Sparmarch,” will take place one block north at Grace Plaza, featuring a New Orleans-inspired funeral second line parade—at least according to the organizers.
Another gathering is set for Columbia University at 1 PM, where protesters will meet outside the gates of Broadway schools and plan to advance toward Bryant Park. Attendees have been advised to bring their Metro cards.
A representative from Columbia stated that the NYPD is overseeing the demonstration since it will occur near the university’s property.
Brooklyn
A Kingsbrooklyn protest is scheduled for 1 PM at a “private” location near Cadman Plaza West and Johnson Street. Plans for another gathering at Grand Army Plaza are also in the works.
Queens
In Queens, demonstrators will convene at McDonald’s Park in Forest Hills at 12:30 PM before marching along Queens Boulevard to Maple Grove Park.
Staten Island
A No Kings protest is set for 1 PM at Castleton Corners, between Victory Boulevard and Manor Road.
The No Kings movement, also identified by the grassroots group 50501—representing “50 protests in 50 states”—was formed through Reddit. They have held multiple meetings this year, including on President’s Day.
Bauer emphasized, “The No Kings movement is dedicated to non-violent expression regarding our concerns over this administration’s disregard for public welfare,” adding that previous interactions with the NYPD have respected their rights.
Protests are also planned across Long Island, in towns like Port Washington, Huntington, and others. Nearby marches are set for Weehawken, Yonkers, and Jersey City, while larger rallies are scheduled in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Atlanta.
The organizers are drawing attention to the Army Parade coinciding with President Trump’s birthday, which features uniforms and equipment from various American wars.
Trump has warned that protesters would face “very heavy forces” during the military parade.
The No Kings website suggests that instead of focusing on the parade, they aim to gather anywhere to highlight the importance of collective action.
Interestingly, while masks are not explicitly addressed on their site, participants are urged to register for protests with their contact information. The organizers have explicitly encouraged maintaining non-violent conduct and aiming to minimize potential conflicts with opposing groups.
