'No Kings' Protest Coming To Haddon Twp.: What To Know

HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Protesters in Haddon Township 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, which also falls on Donald Trump's 79th birthday and Flag Day.

"No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," says nokings.org. "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."

One of the protests is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Haddon and Carlton avenues in Haddon Township.

The township became a focal point for the impact of Trump's presidency when immigration authorities detained the owners of local restaurant Jersey Kebab. Community support surged for husband-and-wife owners Celal and Emine Emanet, who moved to the United States on a religious visa in 2008 and say their green-card applications have been pending for nearly a decade.

Celal was released with an ankle monitor the day they were arrested. Emine spent a few weeks in custody before a judge allowed for her release at a bond hearing in March. Their cases remain pending.

Their son, Muhammed Emanet, will speak at the rally during the local "No Kings" protest, according to Cooper River Indivisible, the organization coordinating the event.

The "No Kings" theme was orchestrated by 50501 — a political organization founded this year to protest the actions of President Trump's administration. 50501's name comes from its stated efforts in coordinating national days of grassroots protests around the country: "50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement."

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.

The Army Birthday celebration had already been planned. But earlier this spring, President Trump announced plans to ratchet up the event to include 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets.

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.

Haddon Township's protest will gather in the Westmont PATCO Station's eastern parking lot, along Carlton Avenue. Cooper River Indivisible encourages attendees to arrive at least 15 minutes before the 1 p.m. march.

Protestors will march down Haddon Avenue to the rally in downtown Collingswood at Irvin Avenue. The route is 1.7 miles long, but attendees can join in at any point of the march.

The rally is set for 2:30-4 p.m. at Irvin and Atlantic avenues in Collingswood, which is close to the Collingswood PATCO station. Here's the event page.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.