‘No Kings’ Protests Held Saturday In Highland Park, Piscataway

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — Anti-Trump protesters are expected to take to the streets Saturday as part of “No Kings” rallies nationwide.

The anti-Trump demonstrations are meant to coincide with a military parade commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary that Trump is holding in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Trump is holding the parade on what happens to be his 79th birthday. June 14 is also Flag Day.

The protests are held by Indivisible Central NJ.

Here are protests planned for nearby:

NO KINGS Highland Park 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday in Highland Park, at the Highland Park Doughboy Statue in Veterans' Park

No Kings Piscataway: 2-3 p.m. in front of the Piscataway municipal building

"In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings," said organizers. "NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies. We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts. They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies. On Saturday, June 14, we’re taking to the streets nationwide. We’re not gathering to feed his ego. We’re building a movement that leaves him behind. On June 14th, we’re reclaiming the flag for ourselves and showing up everywhere he isn’t—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

“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.”

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 military parade, which features the parade, fireworks, NFL players, fitness competitions and displays across the National Mall.

More than 6,700 soldiers will travel from bases around the country to participate in the parade and festival. The parade will represent 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.

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 on the parade 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.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.