GALLERY: Anti-Trump 'No Kings' protests held across U.S.
(NEXSTAR) — Saturday, June 14 is turning out to be a hectic day in the downtowns and thoroughfares in dozens of U.S. cities, both big and small, as thousands at a time gather in protest of the Trump administration, its immigration policies, and a Washington, D.C. military parade estimated to potential cost American taxpayers $45 million.
These events are part of what's being called the "No Kings" protests, which argue that the D.C. parade is more about stroking the ego of Trump on his 79th birthday than celebrating the U.S. military.
"No Kings" protests are expected to happen across 1,500 U.S. cities on Saturday, which is being called a "nationwide day of defiance" of the Trump administration's policies, as reported by BBC.
Here's a snapshot of some of the day's protests from coast to coast and the places in between.
Los Angeles, other California cities
In Los Angeles, where recent mass ICE raids have made global headlines, the "No Kings" protest got underway in downtown L.A. around 10 a.m. Saturday. As KTLA previously reported, thousands of demonstrators started gathering peacefully. Downtown L.A. has been the scene of much unrest, as some demonstrations against the immigration raids have turned violent. The "No Kings" protests, per the organization's website, aim to be non-violent.
Meanwhile, a host of other cities in the Sunshine State also held their own protests on Saturday.
In San Diego, thousands gathered across two demonstrations in the coastal city starting at 10 a.m., as Nexstar's FOX 5 in San Diego reported. FOX 5 explains that in San Diego, the protests were partially influenced by recent ICE raids at two local restaurants. In one immigration raid at Buona Forchetta restaurant, masked ICE agents reportedly put 15 workers and the general manager in handcuffs before releasing them. Renato Ametrano, the restaurant's general manager, told FOX 5 that his staff are documented.
Utah
Nexstar's ABC 4 in Salt Lake City, Utah, reports that in addition to two "No Kings" protests being held in Salt Lake, there are 15 others across the state, in cities including Ogden, Cedar City and St. George.
One major protest at the University of Utah kicked off the day's events, where students and community members alike gathered in solidarity against the Trump administration.
Texas and Oklahoma
In Texas, Nexstar's KXAN in Austin found there were at least 63 locations in the state where anti-Trump demonstrations were taking place. In the Houston area alone, there were six different locations hosting "No Kings" protests on Saturday, per Nexstar's KIAH.
In central Texas, smaller towns showed out as hard as some of the state's major cities, with over 700 joining a protest in the Texas wine country town of Bastrop.
Mary Elizabeth Singleton, the event's organizer, told KXAN: “We just want people to know that even in a bright red county like Bastrop, we have people who are concerned about what Trump… is doing, and we don’t believe in kings in the United States of America."
In neighboring Oklahoma, thousands gathered in Oklahoma City Saturday for one the state's multiple anti-Trump protests. The events began at Oklahoma City Hall and featured speakers and music, as reported by Nexstar's KFOR.
Chicago
Thousands of expected protesters took to Chicago's downtown on Saturday, as reported by Nexstar's WGN. The event's organizers were taking extra care to keep things safe, including implementing trained safety marshals to de-escalate any potential animus.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Going back down south, over in North Carolina, thousands gathered in Charlotte Saturday morning, with the "No Kings" protest and march ending with local police backing up the crowd, as reported by Nexstar's Queen City News.
Tampa Bay area, Florida
Thousands gathered in demonstrations across the Tampa Bay area, with protests in Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg and more, as reported by Nexstar's WFLA in Tampa.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
An anti-Trump administration protest drew an expected 1,200 people on Saturday morning at a park in Grand Rapids, according to Nexstar's WOODTV in Grand Rapids.
“I’m sure that caring and thoughtful people didn’t vote for this abuse of power, cruelty and corruption," said Becky Palmer, a leader with Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids, which hosted the protest. "So we’re gathering to remind Trump and his enablers that America has no king.”
New York City
New York City's "No Kings" protests put the "big" in "Big Apple," with over 25,000 people flooding the city's streets in the rain. As reported by Nexstar's PIX11, the crowd marched from Bryant Park to Washington Square Park in Manhattan.
Trump's military parade will be held in Washington, D.C. Saturday evening, though protests are not expected to happen at that time. As explained by the "No Kings" organization, protestors should avoid Washington D.C., in an effort against "allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity."
"No Kings" says its Philadelphia march and protest will serve as the flagship event, with the organization saying its Philly event intends to "draw a clear contrast between our people-powered movement and the costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade in Washington."