What does the No Kings protest mean? What is No Kings Day, and why are millions protesting in U.S?

As tanks roll down the streets of Washington, D.C., in a grand military parade marking the Army’s 250th birthday and coinciding with US president Donald Trump’s 79th birthday on Saturday, June 14, millions of Americans have prepared a very different kind of celebration, as per a report. Across almost 2,000 cities and towns, from courthouse steps to small-town parks, protesters have gathered for what organisers have called the “No Kings Day of Defiance," reported AP.

A Movement Born of Frustration

The “No Kings" rally is led by the 50501 Movement, a grassroots coalition spanning all 50 states, the protests aim to push back against what Trump's critics describe as the increasingly authoritarian style of the Trump administration, according to the report. The name “50501” symbolises 50 states, 50 protests, one movement, reported AP.

The main motive of the protest is a fear that Trump, now in his second term, is steering the country away from its democratic foundations, as per the report. Organisers say the decision to escalate the Army’s anniversary into a massive military show with 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rumbling through the nation’s capital, is a symbol of power being misused for personal spectacle, according to AP.

As per the report, protests have denounced Trump and his former billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who was also heading the administration's Department of Government Efficiency, a government organisation designed to slash federal spending. “No Kings" protesters have urged that Trump must be “dethroned” because they compare his actions to those of a king and not a democratically elected president, reported AP.

The group's website pointed out that, “They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,” adding, “They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies,” as quoted in the report.

Why June 14?

June 14 is a day with a lot of relevance to Americans as it is Flag Day, it’s the Army’s 250th birthday, and it’s even Trump’s 79th birthday.

The movement's website mentions that, “The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,” adding, “On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings,” quoted AP.

"No Kings" Protesters Are Skipping Washington, D.C.

Rather than gathering in Washington, D.C., where the military parade will take centre stage, “No Kings” protesters will take their message across the rest of the country, as per the report. A flagship rally will be held in Philadelphia as the "No Kings" protest aims to draw a clear contrast between its people-powered movement and what organisers described on their website as the “costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade” in Washington, reported AP.

FAQs

What is the “No Kings” protest about?
It’s a nationwide movement against what organisers see as authoritarian behaviour by US president Donald Trump and his administration.

Why is it called “No Kings”?
Because many protesters believe Trump acts more like a king than a democratically elected president. The name is a statement for democracy and against authoritarianism.