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chairman donald trump He has insisted he is not a king, as thousands of massive “No Kings” protests against his administration are scheduled across the country on Saturday.
chairman told “They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he said in an interview clip released Friday by Fox Business.
Republicans have called the protests “Hate America” rallies.
Meanwhile, the late-night show host jimmy kimmel – a Trump critic whose show was postponed for some time On his comments about the conservative activist in September murder of charlie kirk -Compared the protests to the American Revolution.
“There’s nothing more American than political protest,” Kimmel said on his show Thursday night. “The American Revolution was a ‘No Kings’ rally.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s protests.
More than 2,5000 protests planned in response to Trump’s First Amendment ‘action’
Ezra Levin, a key organizer of Saturday’s protests, said the demonstrations were a response to Trump’s “crackdown on First Amendment rights.”
Levin, co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, pointed out Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdownHis unprecedented promises to use federal power to influence midterm elections, restrictions on freedom of the press, etc. Retaliation against political opponents,
He said that these measures overall represent a direct threat to constitutionally protected rights.
Protests are planned in more than 2,500 locations across the country – from the country’s largest city, new yorkFor small unincorporated, rural communities such as East Glacier Ridge, MontanaWith about 300 inhabitants.
Organizers will consider the day a success, Levin said, if people are inspired to become more politically involved on an ongoing basis.
Mostly peaceful protests in June
The last “No Kings” protests took place on 14 June in thousands of cities and towns across the country, the vast majority of which protest military parade In Washington DCWhich marked the Army’s 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump’s birthday.
“No Kings” organizers at the time called the parade a “coronation,” a symbol of Trump’s growing authoritarian reach.
The confrontations were isolated and the protests were largely peaceful.
police inside los angelesWhere protests over federal immigration enforcement raids began a week ago Protests broke out across the countryTear gas and crowd-control weapons were used to disperse the protesters after the formal event ended.
officer in portlandOregon also fired tear gas and shells to disperse a crowd protesting in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building into the evening.
One protester was killed during a Salt Lake City march in June. A security volunteer fired at a man who was accused of pointing a rifle at protesters, but inadvertently shot and killed Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a beloved fashion designer.
Even after four months no one has been charged. Experts have said state gun laws can protect both the shooter and the person who brandished a rifle but did not fire.
Despite June shootings, Utah will participate in protests
Jamie Carter, an organizer of one of Saturday’s rallies, said that Utah activists considered not participating in this round of “No Kings” demonstrations, but “we also felt that we really had to get back out there.”
Organizers are not affiliated with the groups that organized the demonstration in June that turned deadly. Carter, of Salt Lake Indivisible, said security volunteers will be present but will be unarmed and all have received de-escalation training. Those present have been asked not to bring weapons.
“We really want this to be a very uplifting, happy event, with people coming together in a community to try and erase some of the bad memories,” he said.
Concerns have grown over large political demonstrations in Utah, where Kirk was shot during a college speaking engagement last month.
action on protests
Since the June march, Trump’s crackdown on protests has intensified, especially in Democratic cities. he has since Sent National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. and MemphisHis efforts to deploy troops chicago And are stopped in Portland federal court.
Organizers in Chicago expect thousands of protesters to converge on a popular Lake Michigan park, followed by a march through the city.
Federal immigration agents have arrested more than 1,000 people in Chicago, the nation’s third-largest city, since September in an increasingly aggressive strategy. Protests have become more frequent and well-attended in recent weeks, culminating in intense clashes outside a suburban federal immigration processing center.
Dennis Poloyak of Indivisible Chicago said, “People are more angry. It feels much more immediate.” “They are very concerned about what is happening in Chicago and across the country.”
“No Kings” organizers have led several virtual safety trainings for the protests with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is listed as an official partner on the “No Kings” website.
The trainings informed bystanders about their rights during protests – such as whether you are required to carry an ID or if wearing a mask is allowed, both of which vary by each state – and emphasized de-escalation techniques for encounters with law enforcement.
Every official protest has a security plan, including designated medics and emergency meeting places.
Mixed reactions from elected officials
The protests have already been strongly condemned by some of the country’s top politicians, including the House Speaker. mike johnson The event was dubbed a “Hate America Rally” at a news conference on Wednesday.
Some state leaders, like texas republican governor greg abbottHas decided Activating the National Guard ahead of protests,
“Texas will prevent criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone who engages in violence or property damage,” Abbott said in a statement.
Democratic California governor Gavin Newsom He struck a more optimistic tone, saying he hoped Californians would come in large numbers and remain peaceful. He said Trump expects there will be disruption, some violence that he can take advantage of.
Associated Press writers Hannah Schoenbaum, Christopher Weber, Juan A. Lozano, Terry Chia and Sophia Tareen contributed to this report.