‘No Kings’ Protest To Be Held Saturday In Philadelphia: What To Know

PHILADELPHIA — Protesters in Philadelphia 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.”

In Philadelphia, the No Kings protest is planned for noon at LOVE Park. The demonstration is set to end at 3 p.m.

Featured speakers include Bishop William J. Barber, Repairers of the Breach; Leah Greenberg & Ezra Levin, Co-Executive Directors, Indivisible; Anu Joshi, Campaigns Director, American Civil Liberties Union; Lorella Praeli, Co-President, Community Change; Ruwa Romman, Georgia House of Representatives; Art Steinberg, President, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers; Wendy Strout, Deputy Director, Human Rights Campaign; and Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers.

Philadelphia officials said the demonstration will close streets in the city.

Below are details on road closures:

From 3 a.m. until about 5 p.m.

• Eakins Oval between Kelly Drive and MLK Drive (in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art)
• Kelly Drive inbound (closed at Fairmount Avenue)

From 10 a.m. until about 1:30 p.m.

• Arch Street from 15th Street to 16th Street
• 16th Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Cherry Street
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to 17th Street

From 11:30 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m.

• Benjamin Franklin Parkway (all lanes) from 18th Street to Eakins Oval — Includes closures of cross streets

From 11:30 a.m. to about 5 p.m.

• 2200-2300 Benjamin Franklin Parkway — Includes closures of cross streets
• Spring Garden Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• 23rd Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Kelly Drive (both directions) from Eakins Oval to Sedgley Drive
• Spring Garden Street Bridge (inbound)

Additional road closures may be implemented based on conditions and public safety considerations. Road closures will be lifted as streets are cleared of pedestrians and serviced.

Drivers should take notice and must adhere to posted "Temporary No Stopping/Parking" signs. Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated. If you believe your car has been relocated, call the police district of the area where your car was parked.

No Kings demonstrations are also planned in Ardmore, Media, Springfield, Haddon Township, Norristown, King of Prussia, and West Chester.

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.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.