The organization Indivisible, as well as a coalition of more than 200 pro-democracy partner organizations, plan to host nonviolent protests across the country on June 14, to coincide with the DC military parade on the same day. Organizers are calling it the No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance, and it will include marches, rallies, and demonstrations to “reject corrupt, authoritarian politics in the United States.”
“No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. 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,” according to the Indivisible website.
The protests coincide with the day of Trump’s planned military parade in DC. The parade, celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday, is being held on the same day as Trump’s birthday. The event will include more than 6,000 soldiers in uniform, flyovers, military bands, and weapons. The event is expected to cause millions of dollars in damage to DC streets.
Organizers decided not to hold No Kings protests in the District on the day of the parade. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of gravity, activists will make action everywhere else the story of America that day,” organizers said in a news release.
As of June 3, Axios reported that there were more than 1,800 rallies scheduled. Of those, more than a dozen are taking place in the Northern Virginia area.
NoVA No Kings Events
Some of the protests planned in the area include:
- Alexandria: 3–5 p.m., Market Square: 300 King St., Alexandria
- Arlington: 4–6 p.m., Langston Boulevard
- Fair Lakes: noon–4 p.m. Fair Lakes Circle and Fair Lakes Parkway, Fairfax
- Falls Church: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 3480 S. Jefferson St., Falls Church
- Fredericksburg: 10 a.m.–noon,1516 William St., Fredericksburg
- Manassas: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Manassas Community Center at Marsteller Park: 8730 Sudley Rd., Manassas
- Woodbridge: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Lake Ridge Commuter Lot: 12745 Minnieville Rd., Woodbridge
View a map of all No Kings activations here.
Organizers note that these are nonviolent protests. “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. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events,” they said.
Feature image of Market Square in Alexandria, Liberty Photo Art/stock.adobe.com