Massive 'No Kings' protests erupt across US on Trump's birthday, Army Anniversary Parade Day
Philadelphia: Tens of thousands of people participated in coordinated protests across the United States on Saturday under the slogan “No Kings,” expressing strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s leadership as he prepared to headline a grand military parade in Washington to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army — which also coincided with his 79th birthday.
While no major demonstrations were held in the capital, the protests spread to nearly 2,000 locations across the country, ranging from large metropolitan areas to small towns. The central rally was held at Love Park in Philadelphia, where a steady drizzle failed to dampen the crowd’s spirit. Protesters sang modified versions of popular songs, including “Y.M.C.A.,” and held up placards with slogans like “Fight oligarchy,” “Deport the mini-Mussolinis,” and “The wrong ice is melting” — a reference to immigration enforcement.
Karen Van Trieste, a 61-year-old nurse from Maryland who returned to her hometown for the event, said, “It’s about defending democracy. There’s just too much going wrong under this administration.”
In Atlanta, a protest outside the Georgia State Capitol reached its 5,000-person capacity early, with hundreds more spilling into nearby streets. A drum circle formed in front of Los Angeles City Hall, while in Charlotte, North Carolina, crowds chanted, “We have no kings,” echoing the movement’s core message.
The nationwide campaign, organised by the 50501 Movement — representing 50 states, 50 protests, and one movement — aims to oppose what organisers describe as Trump’s “authoritarian actions.” The protests follow growing public anger over recent federal immigration raids and Trump’s controversial deployment of National Guard troops and Marines in Los Angeles.
Several Republican-led states took precautionary steps. Governors in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, and Missouri activated their National Guard units. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin warned, “If you violate the law, you’re going to be arrested.” In Florida, where a march was planned near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a similar caution to protesters. Missouri’s Governor Mike Kehoe stated that his administration would not “wait for chaos to ensue.”
California law enforcement placed officers on tactical alert and cancelled all scheduled leaves, while West Virginia authorities also put the National Guard on standby.
Meanwhile, Democratic leaders urged demonstrators to exercise restraint. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated that preparations were in place to handle a crowd that could swell to 100,000 in Philadelphia. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson called for peaceful demonstrations, with Ferguson warning protesters not to give the federal government a reason to respond with force.
In Florida’s capital, Tallahassee, nearly 1,000 demonstrators marched through the streets chanting “Dissent is patriotic” and holding signs that read “One nation under distress.” Protest organisers issued clear instructions to participants to remain non-violent and avoid confrontation with counterprotesters or any disruption of public movement.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner assured that the rule of law would be upheld. “Any illegal activity — including by immigration officers acting beyond their limits — will be prosecuted,” he said. Citing Martin Luther King Jr., he added, “If you are doing what Martin Luther King would have done, you’re going to be fine.”
Despite the heavy police presence and heightened political tension, most demonstrations remained peaceful, with organisers hoping the message of democratic resistance would echo well beyond the day’s events.
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Women''s Bill: Stalin says proposal amid polls raises suspicion; backs 33 per cent reservation
Chennai (PTI): Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday alleged that the proposed amendment to ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in the midst of polls in states including Tamil Nadu appeared to be yet another political manoeuvre aimed at shaping electoral narratives.
Stalin alleged the timing for the proposed amendment led to serious suspicion.
"Why push such a far-reaching decision in the middle of state elections. This appears to be yet another political manoeuvre aimed at shaping electoral narratives, much like earlier attempts to influence women voters ahead of the 2024 Parliament elections," he alleged in a statement titled "This is not reform, this is reengineering power."
Further, he said: "Let me be unequivocal: we strongly support 33 per cent reservation for women. Our support is absolute. But it must be implemented without increasing seats and without punishing states that acted responsibly. If the intent is genuine, nothing prevents immediate implementation within the existing framework."
Demanding fair delimitation, he alleged there was complete opacity on the basis for delimitation and asked would the exercise rely on 1971 figures from a pre–population control era or the 2021 Census. "Conflicting signals and vague assurances only deepen suspicion." This move would also impose a massive financial burden on states, forcing them to expand or rebuild Legislative Assemblies, all without proper consultation.
"This is a direct assault on cooperative federalism. This is not reform, it is a unilateral, politically driven exercise designed to concentrate power, weaken Parliament, marginalise the South, and undermine social justice," he alleged. "The nation deserves answers: why this undue haste, why shift the goalposts, and who truly stands to benefit."
The NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is systematically eroding the very foundations of Parliament, he alleged.
The Dravidian party chief claimed: "What should be a vibrant forum for debate and accountability is being reduced to a hollow ritual, a stage where members may not even get fair time to speak or represent their people. This proposal to increase seats is a direct contradiction of their own slogan of minimum government, maximum governance. It will only inflate expenditure, burden taxpayers, and dilute the quality of parliamentary functioning."
This also went against the spirit of Article 1 of the Constitution, which defines India as a Union of States. Ignoring the voices of states and bypassing meaningful consultation is not democratic - it is unitary overreach that undermines the country's federal and plural character.
More alarmingly, this exercise will blatantly skew representation and tilt the balance of power in favour of northern states dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party, while silencing the voice of south India, he claimed.
"As forcefully pointed out by veteran leader Siddaramaiah (Karnataka CM), this is not a neutral exercise; it is a calculated political restructuring. Northern states stand to gain nearly double the (Parliamentary) seats, while the South’s share stagnates at around 24 per cent. This is nothing short of penalising states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Keralam and Telangana for their success in population control."
Chief Ministers across the South, including Siddaramaiah, Pinarayi Vijayan and A Revanth Reddy have rightly warned that this move will distort federalism and concentrate power in a few regions, the DMK president alleged.
PM Modi said on Thursday that the proposed amendments to the Women Reservation Act are not just a legislative exercise but a reflection of the aspirations of crores of women across India and urged all MPs to come together to support this significant move.
He had last week announced an extension of the Budget session of Parliament by three days, from April 16 to 18, so that the Women's Reservation Act can be amended for its implementation from 2029.
