A day where America turned out. Marc Levy, Claudia Lauer and Jim Vertuno (AP) report, "Masses of demonstrators packed into streets, parks and plazas across the U.S. on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump, marching through downtowns and small towns, blaring anti-authoritarian chants mixed with support for protecting democracy and immigrant rights." And Pride. Ben Thorp and Jill Sheridan (Indianapolis' WFYI) note:
Thousands of people took to the streets of Indianapolis Saturday as protests and pride collided. The annual Indy Pride celebration and the ‘No Kings’ protest were held back to back and people showed up.
Attendees with signs, costumes, and megaphones at both events chanted “This is what democracy looks like”.
Indy Pride is celebrating 30 years in Indianapolis. The city was also one of roughly 2,000 across the country to mark ‘No Kings Day’ day with protests planned in response to the Trump administration’s military parade in Washington, D.C.
But Indiana 50501 Organizer Scott Johnson said the movement is bigger than that. “This is a generalized protest that is around the idea that what is going on in America today is wrong,” he said.
Johnson, who started by marching in Indy Pride before heading to the statehouse, said the combination of both was important.
"Pride is celebrating this particular avenue of American rights," he said. "50501 is about all the rest of it."
PBS' THE NEWSHOUR reported on the millions turning out today across the nation.
AP offers a photo essay here and NPR has a photo essay here.
They turned out in Nashville. Cynthia Abrams (WPLN) explains, "Thousands gathered at Bicentennial Mall before dispersing to Jefferson Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard, holding signs and chanting call-and-response phrases like 'What do we want? Democracy! When do we want it? Now!'" Sara Streigel tells Abrams, "I came out today because I am just terrified for our country. Seeing the way that ICE is being used to oppress our immigrants and the way that it’s not safe to be a person of color. As a brown woman and a child of immigrants, it’s terrifying to think that the rule of law is no longer in place."
That's Tennessee. Idaho was present. Clark Corbin (IDAHO CAPITAL SUN) notes:
Waving American flags and carrying homemade signs, thousands of people took part in a “No Kings Day” protest Saturday afternoon at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
The crowd covered the Capitol steps, filled the section of Jefferson Street in front of the building and stretched deep and wide throughout nearby Cecil D. Andrus Park as people chanted “No more kings” and “Love, not hate, makes Idaho great.”
Tammie Baker was one of thousands who attended the protest. She carried a homemade sign that read “I prefer my ICE crushed” and said her concern over the Trump administration’s policies motivated her to attend her first political protest since the 1970s.
“There is only one reason,” Baker said. “ Enough is enough of everything. This is out of control.”
Texas showed up. Berenice Garcia, Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Ayden Runnels (TEXAS TRIBUNE) report of McAllen:
Hundreds of people lined up near this border city’s federal courthouse Saturday, waving American flags and holding signs criticizing President Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
It was a loud scene as anti-Trump chants were often drowned out by drivers honking to show support for the protesters’ cause. Protests, marches and rallies are happening across Texas and the country Saturday in condemnation of the Trump administration’s policies, including its aggressive immigration enforcement, and what many participants consider to be authoritarian actions.
Angeline Garza, a 36-year-old elementary school teacher from Mission, said the protest was a way for her to advocate for the undocumented children and the kids of undocumented parents.
“Now more than ever, [deportations] are affecting a lot of people and they are seeing what the Trump administration wanted to do from the beginning, that it was not just about deporting criminals,” she said.
Michelle Choi (KHOU) reports from Houston:
Thousands of people packed downtown Houston Saturday as part of nationwide ‘"No Kings" protests.
Houston City Hall transformed into a sea of signs and chants. From immigration fears to cuts in federal aid and Medicare and SNAP, protesters rallied against policies they say are hurting working families.
The chants echoed through downtown Houston as a massive, peaceful show of resistance.
Organizers say 26,000 people filled the steps and streets around City Hall.
“So my sign says ‘El pueblo unido jamás será vencido’” said protestor Jacob Torres. “It means if we’re all united, we won’t get defeated.”
Torres came to speak for someone who couldn’t.
“Most of my family is undocumented, especially my mom, and that’s who I’m here for,” he said. “People who can’t stand up for themselves.”
KXAN reports from Austin:
Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, CEO of immigration law firm Lincoln-Goldfinch Law, gave the crowd an update on deportations in Texas.
“State troopers are pulling over immigrants and colluding with ICE to disappear people from their families,” the attorney said. “They want to drive immigrants further underground.”
The children of one of her clients joined her at the podium.
“Their father was taken in a surprise attack,” she said. “They will spend tomorrow (Father’s Day) missing him.”
A chant of “F— ICE” rose from the crowd in response.
Nichole, one of the children, spoke next. She gave a message to the crowd and another message in Spanish, directed to her father.
Melody Tremallo, transgender woman and HOCTX lead organizer, spoke. She referred to herself as “a canary in a coal mine” who is “actively dying.”
“When they came after immigrants and trans kids, there was hardly any push back,” she said. “Fascism withers when we stand up together. We should have stopped them when they were at their weakest, before they could eat the least among us.”
She asked if the crowd would stand up for transgender rights. The crowd cheered back “Yes!”
Tremallo estimated the crowd at 20,000 in her speech.
Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes spoke. Austin Council Members Jose “Chito” Vela & José Velásquez were with her as she gave her remarks. She noted that the three of them represent the Austin City Council’s Latino caucus.
“This response is the most patriotic thing we can do,” Fuentes said. “In America, we don’t believe in dictators, we don’t believe in authoritarianism.”
After Fuentes, Vela and Velásquez both spoke.
A UT Austin student spoke, followed by a veteran involved with grassroots group Common Defense.
“Marines are being used as political tools while our leaders cut funding for Veterans’ Affairs,” the veteran said. A veteran and Native American spoke next.
They turned out in Dallas.
Kelly O'Brien (WMUR) notes Concord, New Hampshire:
Organizers estimated there were between 5,000 and 8,000 in Concord for the peaceful protest.
"I'm hoping that they understand throughout the nation. None of us want this, but none of us wants the chaos," said Elly Henderson.
For hours, up and down Main Street in Concord and on the state house lawn, signs were up in the air, flags were waved and chants echoed in the air, "enough is enough."
People said they are against mass deportations, against attacks on civil rights and don't want to see the military being used against its own people.
In San Francisco?
We were out at Civic Center Plaza by City Hall in the afternoon while earlier we were on the beach. Sam Mauhay-Moore (SAN FRANCISCO GATE) reports:
Hundreds of people gathered at Ocean Beach in San Francisco on Saturday morning to protest the Trump administration by forming a massive human banner.
The banner read, “NO KING!” in reference to the “No Kings” protests taking place on Saturday across the country. The protests coincide with both President Donald Trump’s birthday and his approximately $45 million military parade taking place in Washington, D.C. The parade has been billed as part of a 250th birthday celebration for the Army, though it also fulfills a desire Trump has had since his first term to parade American military might through city streets.
In Los Angeles, Lily Dallow and Vivian Chow (KTLA) report:
A day of peaceful protests in downtown Los Angeles took a turn late Saturday afternoon when law enforcement began ordering the thousands of demonstrators to disperse from the area surrounding the L.A. Federal Building complex.
Officers deployed flashbangs and tear gas, and Sky5 captured the moment officers on foot and horseback moved into the large crowd. The L.A. Police Department reported that some protesters were “becoming increasingly unruly” and that people were throwing rocks, bricks, bottles, and other objects.
The dispersal order covered Alameda Street between Aliso and Temple, and Los Angeles Street between Aliso and Temple. Additionally, the LAPD stated that all on- and off-ramps of the 101 Freeway would remain closed between Alameda Street and the 110 Freeway.
Let's also note this:
Dodgers player Kiké Hernández took to social media to show support for the community of Los Angeles amid immigration raids and protests.
"I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own. I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city. Los Angeles and Dodger fans have welcomed me, supported me and shown me nothing but kindness and love. This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights. #CityOfImmigrants," said Hernández on an Instagram post.
NBC Los Angeles' Tracey Leong and Karla Rendon report on Long Beach:
As thousands of demonstrators descended upon Long Beach on Saturday to denounce President Donald Trump’s policies as part of a nationwide movement dubbed the “No Kings” protests, a local family is left reeling after being directly impacted by the president’s administration.
Loved ones of Rosario Gonzalez, 50, say they’re heartbroken after the family patriarch was detained by immigration officers during a raid outside a Home Depot in Whittier. Going against his family’s wishes, Gonzalez went to the Home Depot in search of work since he is the main provider for his family. He was one of several individuals who were detained during the raid.
“I just want to say I love him, and I hope he comes back,” Yamilet Gonzalez, Rosario’s 18-year-old daughter, said. “I know he will, and that we are all waiting for him to be here.”
A tearful Yamilet said if she could, she would reassure her father of the family’s resilience and wellbeing as they navigate through his absence.
“I would tell him I am fine, and that I know once he’ll come back, I will tell him about how my day went and about how my graduation was,” the man’s daughter said. “And I’ll tell him I took a lot of videos so he could feel like he was there, even though he couldn’t be.”
- Protests labeled "No Kings" rallies are taking place across metro Atlanta as part of a national day of action against the Trump administration.
- Other Georgia cities participating include Tucker, McDonough, Fayetteville, Athens, Valdosta, and Woodstock, with events organized by Indivisible, 50501 Movement, and Stand Up America.
- Most rallies were peaceful around the metro, according to FOX 5 crews, but police used tear gas to break up one protest in Doraville. 8 people were arrested there after an "unlawful assembly" was declared by police.
Ross Williams (GEORGIA RECORDER) adds:
Minutes after Atlanta’s “No Kings” protest began Saturday outside the state Capitol, organizers announced that the venue’s 5,000-person capacity had been reached.
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“It fills my heart. I’m so glad that people are here,” said Adam Zarett, an IT professional from Atlanta. “I’m glad to see so many people here standing up for our constitutional rights, making our voices heard. Like John Lewis, good trouble.”
Zarett said he wasn’t much for protests until recently.
“I didn’t even care about politics before Trump came into office the first time, and it stung then, and it is so much worse now,” he said. “It has just ignited a fire inside me that says you can’t just sit behind a keyboard and complain on Facebook all day. That just doesn’t do much. Sometimes it feels good, but it doesn’t do much.”
Now, Zarett says he’ll be back.
“I absolutely will. As many protests as there are, as many gatherings as there are, the people need to be heard,” he said.
Alaska? Elizabeth Harball, Zaz Hollander, Lizzy Hahn (ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS) report:
Thousands of demonstrators jammed sidewalks Saturday in downtown Anchorage, chanting and waving signs in protest of President Donald Trump.
The “No Kings” protest was one of many taking place across the U.S. on Saturday, coalescing around frustration and anger with the Trump administration. The demonstrations were planned the same day as the president’s military parade in Washington, D.C., to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. June 14 is also Trump’s birthday.
Peaceful protests — and counterprotests — were held in a number of other Alaska communities Saturday, including Homer, Sitka, Seward, Fairbanks, Nome and Palmer.
What about Maryland? Tori Yorgey (WBALTV) answers that question:
Thousands of Marylanders joined protesters across the country on Saturday, taking part in "No Kings Day."
Demonstrators converged across Maryland, from the Patterson Park Observatory in Baltimore, to Annapolis, Columbia, Catonsville, Bel Air and more, all in opposition to President Donald Trump's administration.
"We're here specifically today to deliver a message to our
congressman, Andy Harris, that we tolerate no Kings in this country,"
said DeLane Lewis, who is president of Together We Will, a Harford
County organization that led the protest in Bel Air. "This country does
not tolerate kings, our individual voice matters, and that's why we are
here today, because every voice here matters."
The No Kings Protest in Patterson Park saw nearly 5,000 people, according to organizers.
Amy-Xiaoshi DePaola and Celine Stevens (KGW8) cover Oregon and Washington:
Across the U.S., including in the Portland metro area, thousands crowded to peacefully protest President Donald Trump's administration in a nationwide "No Kings" movement Saturday. "No Kings" organizers said millions participated in hundreds of events.
What appeared to be the largest Portland area demonstration at Tom McCall Waterfront Park highlighted recent detainments of asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants; women's and LGBTQ+ rights; the Ukraine-Russia War; Palestine; and Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security cuts as key issues.
Many who attended the Portland and Vancouver rallies spoke out against the administration's treatment of immigrants. Carmen Solorio, who moved from Los Angeles to Oregon, referenced the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and protests happening back in Southern California, with Trump deploying the National Guard and U.S. Marines in response.
"It just hurt so much to see my hometown community going through that struggle, and that’s why I knew I had to be here today," Solorio told KGW at the Portland rally.
Pam Maldonado, who was visiting her kids from Florida and decided to join the Vancouver rally, had similar reasons.
“I know somebody personally who has been picked up and is about to be deported there; he’s in a jail in a correction facility now in Arizona and probably will be shipped out pretty soon," Maldonado said. "It’s just the cruelty, the inhumanity... I mean, this is not who we are. I am afraid it is who we’re becoming, but this is not the United States I know.”
Iowa? KCII notes:
On Saturday, thousands of Iowans across several communities joined in on the nationwide "No Kings" protests.
Organizers of the "No Kings" demonstrations, in opposition of President Donald Trump, said millions had marched in hundreds of events nationwide. Governors across the U.S. had urged calm and vowed no tolerance for violence, while some mobilized the National Guard ahead of marchers gathering. Confrontations were isolated.
[. . .]
Thousands of protestors gathered on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol in downtown Des Moines. The crowd chanted and gave speeches to express their dissatisfaction with the Trump administration. Some people tell KCCI they specifically came out for those who could not.
"We're here supporting our families that can't be here; that don't have a voice," said Grace, a protester. "Mainly for my mother because I am a proud daughter of immigrant parents. That's why I'm here today."
We could continue state by state but people turned out across the country everywhere.
Well . . .
Almost everywhere.
In DC? Dementia Donald saw about 10,000 people show up for his parade and b-day celebration. "This was probably the most humiliating day in Donald Trump's whole life," Ben Meidas observes in the video below.
That video helped Mike select Chump Idiot of the Week -- see his "Idiot of the Week -- and also, Jen Psaki, cut the crap." Kat's "Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Lana Turner" and Ruth's "Alec Baldwin's NEVERTHELESS: A MEMOIR" -- they aren't showing as posted in the blogroll to the left but three posts are showing up:
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Fridge Pickles in the Kitchen1 hour ago
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Global Inequality: Branko Milanovic20 hours ago
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