The “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump commenced in New York City, marking the first of over 2,500 planned demonstrations across the United States. Organizers anticipate that millions will participate nationwide. Some supporters of Trump have linked the protests to the far-left Antifa movement, although no evidence has been presented to support this claim. In response to the planned protests, Republican governors in several states have placed National Guard troops on standby, with Texas and Virginia activating their respective National Guard units; however, the visibility and extent of military presence remain uncertain.
The protests began at 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT), with additional significant events planned in Washington, D.C., featuring Bernie Sanders as a keynote speaker, and in Los Angeles. The protest organizers aim to challenge what they describe as Trump’s “authoritarianism,” asserting on their website that “in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
In a related note, protests have also erupted in European cities such as Berlin, Madrid, and Rome in solidarity with the American demonstrators. In a preview of an upcoming interview with Fox News, Trump addressed the protests, denying any comparison to a king. Some Republicans have labeled the protests as “Hate America” rallies, and Kansas Senator Roger Marshall stated that the National Guard may need to be deployed, expressing skepticism about the protests remaining peaceful.
Amid these developments, Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated the National Guard in anticipation of an “antifa-linked demonstration,” a move criticized by state Democrats, who argue that deploying armed soldiers to suppress protests resembles actions taken by authoritarian regimes. Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin has also ordered the activation of the National Guard. Notable attendees expected at the “No Kings” rallies include celebrities such as Jane Fonda, Kerry Washington, and John Legend.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93xgyp1zv4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss