The message above was ubiquitous at “No Kings” protests
Captured in a hot mic moment, Donald Trump says that when North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un speaks, “his people sit up at attention. I want my people to do the same.”
Instead it’s middle fingers standing at attention for America’s wannabe king.
The shootings in Minnesota of two Democrat legislators and their spouses, plus the exchange of missile fire between Israel and Iran, marred the split screen moment organizers of the 2000+ “No Kings” protests had hoped for on the day of Dear Leader’s long-awaited $45 million military parade. Still, the New York Times framed the moment by placing an image of New York City’s “No Kings” protest above one from Trump’s homage to himself.
The protests were overwhelmingly peaceful, but marred by a shooting in Salt Lake City and declaration of an unlawful assembly outside City Hall in Los Angeles.
News outlets reported protesters in the millions in cities large and small. San Diego alone estimated 60,000. Axios reported 100,000 in Philadelphia and 75,000 in Chicago. Dallas police estimated 11,000 there. 50,000 or more in New York City. The Guardian reports that in the 800-person town of Pentwater, Michigan, 400 people joined the protest per the No Kings coalition. Trump’s people had hoped for 200,000 or more, but drew far less, and those numbers were dwarfed by the “No Kings” protests.
Trump was hoping for a massive, North Korea-style display. Instead, his parade, structured as a walk through U.S. military history featuring obsolete equipment from past wars, made the U.S. look like a third-world military power. The crowd was largely silent through the slow, boring display as antique tanks squeaked past empty bleachers. At one point, the musical accompaniment was an instrument al version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival’s antiwar hit “Fortunate Son.” Really. One professional event organizer posted a long X thread on all the parade’s logistical failures.
It was a long day here with morning and afternoon rallies. Perhaps 8,000 taking over the streets and police standing back.
The trick now will be to keep up the pressure. One and done won’t topple a dictator.
Update:
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