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

Protesters in Virginia 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 Northern Virginia on Saturday include:

• No Kings Woodbridge: A Day of Community and Protest: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 14, Lake Ridge Commuter Lot, Woodbridge
• No Kings Manassas Visibility Protest and Rally: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 14, Manassas Community Center at Marsteller Park, Manassas
• No Kings Alexandria: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 14, Market Square, 300 King Street, Alexandria
• Rally for No Kings Day in Kingstowne: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on June 14, South Van Dorn Street & Kingstowne Village Parkway, Kingstowne
• No Kings Falls Church: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on June 14, 3480 S Jefferson St, Falls Church
• We of Action -Hands Across Arlington County-No Kings: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 14, private address in Arlington County
• NO KINGS Visibility events with Fairfax VA Indivisible: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on June 14, private address in North Springfield
• Arlington: 1:30-3:30 p.m, at Rock Spring Congregational Church, 5010 Little Falls Road
• No Kings Leesburg VA: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on June 14, private address in Leesburg
• No Kings "Morning Visibility Event: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 14, private address in Reston
• NO KINGS VA: Herndon-Reston Indivisible Rally and Street Visibility Event: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 14 (at capacity). Street visibility event from 4 to 5 p.m. is open to participants.
• No Kings Berryville: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 14, private address in Berryville
• No Kings Rally in Fair Lakes: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Fair Lakes Circle & Fair Lakes Parkway, Fairfax
• Fairfax area: Operation Omnipresent Intersection Rally from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. The event location has not been released, but anyone interested in participating can sign up on the No Kings website.
• Reston: "Morning" Visibility Event is planned for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Information about the location of the rally has not been released. Participants will be notified when they register online.
• Fredericksburg: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at the corner of William and Blue and Gray, 1516 William St.

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

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.