Hundreds of events are planned across the country – about a dozen so far in Connecticut – for President Donald Trump’s birthday on June 14 to protest what organizers call “increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption” from the president and his allies.
Dubbed “No Kings Day,” the events are scheduled to take place at the same time as Trump hosts a military parade in Washington, D.C. Trump’s parade – to honor Flag Day and the Army’s 250th anniversary – may contain as many as 6,000 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters, and may cost taxpayers $45 million, CBS News reports.
“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.
The events are organized by Indivisible and a coalition of pro-democracy partner organizations like 50501, Declaration for American Democracy, People Power United, Stand Up America and the Transformative Justice Coalition, among others.
The June 14 protests were inspired by the success of prior Hands Off! and May Day protests across the country, organizers said. One such protest at the Capitol in Hartford in early April drew as many as 3,000 people, Capitol police estimated.
“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 actually looks like: people, united, refusing to be ruled,” according to the release. “On June 14th, we’re coming together to send one clear message: No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.”
Organizers said weapons of any kind are not permitted at the events as they are committed to nonviolent action as a core principle.
“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,” they said.
Here are events scheduled so far for Connecticut:
Glastonbury: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Glastonbury Town Hall
New London: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., outside the courthouse
Bethel: 11-12:30 p.m., location TBD
Hartford: 11-12:30 p.m., location TBD
Waterbury: 11-12 p.m., location TBD
Westport: 11-12:30 p.m., Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge
Cornwall: 12-1 p.m., the Green at Cornwall Bridge
Enfield: 12-4 p.m., in front of Town Hall
Stamford: 12-1:30 p.m., outside the courthouse
Torrington: 1-2:30 p.m., Coe Memorial Park
Willimantic: 3-4 p.m., location TBD
East Lyme: 4-6 p.m., Niantic Green
Organizers said more events are being added to the calendar and recommend people visit www.nokings.org for an updated list and map of events.