The actions are a counter to Trump's military parade, as well as his administration's "escalating use of military force in American cities" and GOP efforts to target health insurance coverage for millions, food assistance, and other anti-poverty programs for millions. Weather forecasters are warning of showers and thunderstorms for Saturday in Washington, D.C., which could disrupt the parade.
A broad coalition of groups are behind the "No Kings" day of mobilization. They include Indivisible, American Federation of Teachers, the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Citizen, MoveOn, 50501, Stand Up America, Common Defense, Human Rights Campaign, League of Conservation Voters, and over 100 others.
"No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like," according to the "No Kings" website. "The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. We're not watching history happen. We're making it."
"No Kings. No Raids. No War," wrote Leah Greenberg, a co-founder and co-executive director of the grassroots progressive organization Indivisible on Friday.
The events are guided by a commitment to nonviolent protest, according to organizing materials. The group also said that organizers with "No Kings" are trained in de-escalation tactics and plan to work closely with local partners to ensure actions are peaceful.
In a Common Dreams op-ed Thursday, veteran organizer Paul Rogat Loeb, urged participants in "No Kings" to carry American flags.
"The 14th is also Flag Day and the 250th anniversary of the Army. The flag can't replace protest signs. But it complements and amplifies them," wrote Loeb.
"The flag represents the imperfect but essential mechanisms of democracy that Trump's regime so profoundly threatens, ones that allow us to keep working for justice," he added.
Multiple observers have drawn a link between "No Kings" rallies and early American history.
"Two hundred fifty years ago, on June 14, 1775, Americans created an army to defend ourselves from an alien force intent on suppressing our right to home rule and threatening personal security in our homes and workplaces," wrote economist and former labor secretary Robert Reich in a Friday post. "Tomorrow, on June 14, 2025, we will be demonstrating across this country against our wannabe king and his decision to destroy the constitutional rights that Americans fought long and hard to secure."
"As we protest, we build solidarity. From that solidarity, we feel less alone and build courage for the work ahead," Reich also wrote on X.
The protests will "allow people everywhere, from many different backgrounds, to join in what till now has always been the basic American message: No Kings. Not George, Not Elon, not Don," wrote author and climate organizer Bill McKibben on Friday in column that appeared in Common Dreams.
McKibben was referencing Elon Musk, the billionaire and Republican megadonor who played a leading and active role in decimating key government programs and agencies in the early months of the Trump administration.
In his piece, McKibben noted the manhandling of Democratic California Sen. Alex Padilla by federal agents on Thursday when he was handcuffed on the ground after being forcibly removed from a news conference held by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles.
"Sen. Padilla has reminded us of how to play it: Firm, dignified, and peaceful," he added.
