Protests will take place across the Bay Area on Saturday as part of what is expected to be over 1,800 nationwide demonstrations in response to the policies of President Donald Trump’s second administration, according to event organizers.
Over 190 organizations from across the country formed a coalition called No Kings to promote the events.
The demonstrations coincide with the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday and also Trump’s birthday. To celebrate, the administration and Army are hosting a military parade in Washington, D.C. An estimated 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters are expected to participate.
“The ‘No Kings’ mobilization is a direct response to Donald Trump’s self-aggrandizing $100 million military parade and birthday celebration, an event funded by taxpayers while millions are told there’s no money for Social Security, SNAP, Medicaid, or public schools,” No Kings organizers said.
Since Trump’s inauguration in January, protests have been organized almost weekly across the country by grassroots groups.
Over 80 protests are scheduled for the Bay Area, including in Vacaville, Guerneville, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and Monterey.
In Sunnyvale, 7X7K is a plan to create a chain of protesters along a seven mile stretch of El Camino Real between the Palo Alto and Sunnyvale Tesla showrooms. The goal is to get 7,000 people to show up to make a solid line between the two locations.
“June 14 is Flag Day. The flag doesn’t belong to Donald Trump. It belongs to us. And we’re taking it back, for all Americans,” wrote the organizers on the No Kings website. “We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it. Bring your American flag or another flag that has meaning to you and BIG readable signs. You may also bring lawn chairs, musical instruments, any anything you need to be comfortable!”
There will be several gathering points in Sunnyvale. Organizers ask that people do not block intersections, sidewalk access, business entrances, on and off ramps, or intersections.
Protests are also planned for St. James Park in San Jose.
For more information about a No Kings protest in your area, you can visit the website at https://www.nokings.org.
