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Miami Beach, FL - Activists across the United States are preparing for a large wave of “No Kings” protests set to unfold this Saturday, June 14th.
The demonstrations are timed to coincide with President Donald Trump’s planned military parade in Washington DC and are intended to express opposition to recent immigration enforcement efforts.
Over 1,500 rallies are scheduled nationwide, with major events taking place in Miami at the Torch of Friendship, in Miami Beach at Pride Park, and at North Young Circle in Hollywood.
Organizers describe the demonstrations as peaceful gatherings meant to showcase patriotism and concern over what they view as rising authoritarianism.
Previous immigration-related protests in Los Angeles and other cities have resulted in violence, arrests, and curfews.
The unrest prompted the deployment of National Guard troops and federal officers in some regions.
Demonstrations in areas like Spokane, Seattle, Las Vegas, Tucson, and San Antonio have involved confrontations between protesters and law enforcement, with reports of tear gas, rubber bullets, and other crowd-control methods being used.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier addressed the media Thursday, stating that any participants who become violent or destructive during the “No Kings” events would face arrest under the state’s anti-riot statutes.
In a similar move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the deployment of thousands of National Guard members and law enforcement officers ahead of Saturday’s actions.
Critics argue the military parade, which also marks Trump’s birthday, Flag Day, and the 250th anniversary of the Army, is a politicized show of force.
President Trump has defended the event as patriotic and warned that any disruptions will be met with what he called a “very big force.”