By Sabiu Abdullahi
Tens of thousands of Americans marched in cities across the United States in coordinated protests against what organisers described as President Donald Trump’s growing authoritarian tendencies, his immigration policies, and what they labeled a government that favors the wealthy.
Demonstrations were reported in all 50 states, with protest leaders calling the action the biggest national mobilisation since Trump returned to power in January.
Participants carried placards bearing messages such as “No Kings,” “No crown for the clown,” and “The Trump fascist regime must go now!”
These slogans reflected widespread anger over what they see as Trump’s erosion of democratic norms.
The protests stood in stark contrast to a $45 million military parade that took place in Washington, held in honour of the US Army’s founding and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.
Critics condemned the show of force as unnecessary and called it a waste of public funds.
The deployment of National Guard units and Marines in cities like Los Angeles, despite objections from local leaders, drew further backlash.
“I’m here today to tell the world we don’t have kings in America. In America, the law is king,” said Ilene Ryan, who joined the protest in Boston.
In New York City, large crowds defied heavy rain to march down Fifth Avenue. Drums and chants of “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!” echoed throughout the streets.
Well-known actors Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo were seen among those taking part.Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, demonstrators filled the city’s central areas chanting “No faux-king way” and “Impeach Trump.”
A giant balloon caricature of Trump wearing a diaper floated above the crowds while federal troops watched from a distance.
For many protesters, the issue was personal. Iris Rodriguez, 44, whose family entered the US without legal documentation, expressed her concerns.
“If this was my mom, if this were the ’80s, this would be happening to her,” she said. “I was scared, but I refuse to be too scared to come.”
While most of the demonstrations were peaceful, authorities in Culpeper, Virginia reported that a man intentionally drove his vehicle into a dispersing group of protesters. No injuries were reported.
In Los Angeles, law enforcement used tear gas and mounted police to clear demonstrators gathered near the federal building, which has become a focal point of recent protests against immigration enforcement.
Organisers say they plan to continue staging similar protests nationwide in the weeks ahead, vowing to sustain public pressure and defend civil liberties.
