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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Railway exams postponed after pro-Kannada activists protests over exclusion of language
Bengaluru (PTI): South Western Railway on Tuesday abruptly postponed its recruitment examinations following protests by pro-Kannada organisations over the conduct of tests only in English and Hindi.
Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike gathered outside exam centres in Bengaluru and Hubballi, demanding that the exams also be held in Kannada.
"The recruitment examinations have been postponed due to the protests and next dates would be announced later," a SWR official said.
Officials said the South Western Railway (SWR) had scheduled promotion examinations on Tuesday to fill 295 posts, including 194 posts of goods train manager.
Following the development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the Union Government to ensure that Kannada-speaking candidates are not subjected to "such injustice".
He also sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue necessary directions in this regard, demanding that the cancelled examinations be conducted at the earliest, with provision to write them in Kannada.
The morning exams were postponed after members of the pro-Kannada organisation staged protests near the exam centres in parts of the state including Bengaluru. The exams scheduled for the afternoon hours have also been postponed, he said.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike has been opposing the move to drop the local language from the recruitment exams, stating it could prevent local candidates from appearing.
Welcoming the postponement, the organisation warned it would resume protests if the exams are held again without meeting its demands.
"Every state language must be respected. Candidates must be allowed to write exams in their respective state languages...Kannada in Karnataka, Tamil in Tamil Nadu, Marathi in Maharashtra, so that local candidates can have better opportunities to serve in higher positions," Hanumanthappa Ambigeri, a member of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, told reporters in Hubballi.
Taking to social media platform 'X', Siddaramaiah said the Railway Department has abruptly cancelled the promotion examinations scheduled to be held today for 194 Goods Train Manager posts in South Western Railway and 101 LDCE posts in the Hubballi division, placing Kannada employees in uncertainty.
This follows strong opposition from Kannadigas and Kannada organisations, he said.
Siddaramaiah pointed out that thousands of Kannada-speaking employees had already raised objections over the lack of provision to write the examination in the local language.
Despite peaceful protests, he alleged that the department failed to respond in time, cancelling the examinations at the last moment and leading to the present confusion.
"Had the department acted early and allowed the examination in Kannada, this situation could have been avoided. Instead, its indifferent approach and last-minute cancellation after protests intensified is condemnable," Siddaramaiah said.
The chief minister claimed that this is not the first instance, nor will it be the last, of Kannadigas facing injustice in central government examinations.
"Due to the continued imposition of Hindi in recruitment processes across central departments, Kannada candidates have long been subjected to unfair treatment," he alleged.
"It is unfortunate that this has occurred even when (state MP) V Somanna serves as Minister of State for Railways. I had expected that he would stand for Kannadigas and address this injustice, but that expectation has not been fulfilled. He must move beyond words and act in the interest of Karnataka," he said.
Siddaramaiah said that Kannadigas have already experienced the adverse impact of the Centre's preference for Hindi and neglect of regional languages. Restricting central examinations to Hindi and English is unacceptable, he said.
"India is a union of states formed on linguistic foundations. We do not oppose Hindi, but we will not accept its imposition over Kannada. Kannadigas are not seeking employment or promotion as charity, but asserting their right in the language they were educated in," he added.
