‘No Kings’ Protest To Be Held Saturday Across MD: What To Know

Protesters in Maryland and across the country will take to the streets Saturday in “No Kings” rallies nationwide to coincide with a military parade commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary that falls on Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. June 14 is also Flag Day.

“No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance,” according to organizers. “From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like.”

No Kings events in Maryland include:

Aberdeen: 4 to 6 p.m., 3710 Churchville Road, Maryland 22 I95 overpass

Bel Air: Noon to 2 p.m., 15 E Churchville Road, Bel Air

Baltimore: 3 to 7 p.m., The Observatory at Patterson Park, East Lombard Street and South Patterson Park

Catonsville: 10 a.m. to noon, near the Double T Diner, 6300 Baltimore National Pike, Route 40 West and Rolling Road

Columbia: 10 a.m. to noon, corner of Broken Land Parkway and Little Patuxent Parkway

Bowie: 4 to 6 p.m., 15210 Annapolis Road

Annapolis: 10 a.m. to noon, Maryland State House, 100 State Circle

Parole: 1 to 3 p.m., Generals Highway and Bestgate Road

Rockville: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., MD-355/Rockville Pike

Chevy Chase: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Connecticut Avenue and East-West Highway

Chevy Chase: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chevy Chase Kids Event in Elm Street Urban Park, 4600 Elm St.

Silver Spring/Wheaton: 1 to 3 p.m., intersection of Georgia Avenue and Plyers Mill Road

Garret Park: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Strathmore Avenue, Garrett Park

Silver Spring: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Leisure World of Maryland, 3701 Rossmoor Blvd.

Catonsville: noon to 1 p.m., 695 overpass at Frederick Road

Glen Burnie: 5 to 7 p.m., Glen Burnie Town Center Plaza

Essex: 9 to 11 a.m., corners of Old Eastern and Back River Neck Roads

You can find more locations and times for protests in Maryland on the No Kings website.

Gov. Wes Moore on Friday released a statement ahead of the protests:

“… The ability to freely speak out and assemble is a cornerstone of American democracy – and one of our greatest heirlooms as a state and nation. Multiple departments and agencies of Maryland state government have been carefully monitoring upcoming rallies throughout the week. Safety is our highest priority, and our administration has been in close coordination with both community leaders and law enforcement in service of keeping our people and neighborhoods safe. We are a state that will protect the rights of the people, and also uphold the law.”

Organizers said a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolence.

“We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events,” according to the website. “Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.”

More than 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups have signed on in support of No Kings. There won’t be a No Kings event in Washington, D.C., where the military parade and festivities are estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million.

As many as 200,000 people are expected to attend the celebration, which features the parade, fireworks, NFL players, fitness competitions and displays across the National Mall.

The parade itself will include 28 M1 Abrams main battle tanks weighing more than 60 tons apiece, 28 tracked Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 28 wheeled Stryker combat vehicles, four tracked M-109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and other towed artillery. The Army said it is planning protective asphalt work and will put new rubber padding on the tanks’ metal tracks to try to minimize street damage.

More than 6,700 soldiers will travel from bases around the country to participate in the parade and festival. For each of the nation’s major conflicts, starting with the Revolutionary War. For each conflict, 60 soldiers will wear period uniforms supplied by an event company representing that war and be followed by 400 soldiers from their same base in present-day uniforms. BN

At the end of the parade, the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team will jump over the White House, landing near Trump to present him with a folded flag, and 250 new recruits or reenlisting service members will be sworn into the Army by Trump.

More than 50 helicopters and aircraft representing different wars will fly over the city — pairing up with the units on the ground as they pass the president.

Spending has become a flashpoint since it comes at a time when the Trump administration is slashing funding for personnel and programs across the federal government, including the Defense Department.

In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee last week, Army leaders defended the spending for the service branch’s 250th birthday celebration, saying it will boost recruitment. Some members of Congress argued that the money could be better spent on troops’ barracks or other priorities.

See more Patch coverage of protests in Los Angeles.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.