Why are the media ignoring growing resistance to Trump?; The Guardian, June 13, 2025

Margaret Sullivan, The Guardian ; Why are the media ignoring growing resistance to Trump?

"When hundreds of thousands of Americans gathered across the US on 5 April for the “Hands Off” events protesting Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s governmental wrecking ball, much of the news media seemed to yawn...

The US media will get a chance to atone for these sins of omission this coming weekend when Americans once again get together, this time for Saturday’s “No Kings” day, which organizers describe as “a nationwide day of defiance”.

“From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism,” they say. More than 100 pro-democracy groups are involved, according to Axios.

It’s expected to be the largest anti-Trump protest since the start of his second term, according to organizers who are planning rallies in 1,500 cities in all 50 states. It’s happening, in part, as a reaction to the military parade in Washington DC that Trump has planned on his 79th birthday and the US army’s 250th anniversary...

A study from a Harvard University political scientist presents a statistic worth remembering: that, around the world, once 3.5% of the population became engaged in sustained and non-violent campaigns of resistance, change has always happened.

Erica Chenoweth, the academic researcher who conducted the study, was surprised by what her team found.

“I was really motivated by some skepticism that non-violent resistance could be an effective method for achieving major transformations in society,” Chenoweth said in a 2019 BBC interview.

But her skepticism was overcome as the study turned up clear results. As one example of many she cites: in 1986, the Marcos regime folded after the fourth day of millions of Filipino citizens taking the streets of Manila.

Non-violent protests, she found, are much more effective – and bring about more lasting change – than armed conflict.

In the US, that 3.5% of the adult population is roughly 9 million people – about the population of New York City. That’s a high bar, many more people than showed up on 5 April.

The encouraging thing is that real change is possible.

However, if journalists consistently look the other way, the power of peaceful citizen protests can fade."

What We Know About the ‘No Kings’ Protests on Saturday; The New York Times, June 13, 2025

Chris Hippensteel , The New York Times; What We Know About the ‘No Kings’ Protests on Saturday

"Planned protests against the Trump administration that are expected to be among the largest since the president’s second term began will be held across the country on Saturday.

The demonstrations will occur in all 50 states, and organizers have estimated roughly 2,000 gatherings — ranging from small groups in more rural communities to larger rallies in major cities including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Denver. According to a map by organizers, there are some three dozen events scheduled in Indiana alone. Protests are also scheduled in other countries including Britain, Mexico and Germany.

They come as President Trump’s immigration crackdown and decision to deploy the military in Los Angeles have already led to large-scale protests there and additional protests in several other cities.

On the same day as the protests, Mr. Trump has scheduled a military parade in Washington for the Army’s 250th anniversary, which also coincides with his 79th birthday...

One major city is notably absent from the list of planned demonstrations: Washington, D.C., the site of the military parade. The omission was intentional, Ms. Greenberg said.

In remarks earlier this week, Mr. Trump warned that any protesters who rallied against the military parade in Washington would be met with “very big force.”"

Nationwide 'No Kings' protests set for Saturday; Florida officials take hardline stance; CBS News, June 12, 2025

Anna McAllister, CBS News; Nationwide 'No Kings' protests set for Saturday; Florida officials take hardline stance

 "Florida leaders issue stern warnings

In anticipation of the protests, which are expected to draw hundreds to the streets of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, Florida leaders made their positions clear.

"If you throw a brick, a firebomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at. Because we will kill you graveyard dead," said Brevard County Sheriff.

Governor Ron DeSantis added: "If you're driving on one of those streets, and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety. And so if you drive off and you hit one of these people that's their fault for impinging on you — you don't have to sit there and just be a sitting duck and let the mob grab you out of your car and drag you through the streets."

Trump, Who Has Likened Himself to a King, Bristles at ‘No Kings’ Protests; The New York Times, June 12, 2025

Chris Cameron, The New York Times ; Trump, Who Has Likened Himself to a King, Bristles at ‘No Kings’ Protests

"President Trump bristled on Thursday at the mention of a series of “No Kings” protests against his administration scheduled for the day of his planned military parade in Washington — coinciding with his 79th birthday...

And the military parade scheduled for Saturday is the latest example of Mr. Trump’s desire to flex military might in openly political displays and surround himself in the pageantry of the armed forces. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump said that any protesters who assembled during the parade would be met with “very big force,”making no distinction between violent confrontations and constitutionally protected peaceful demonstrations.

The organizers of the “No Kings” marches have said that they intentionally had not scheduled demonstrations in Washington, D.C., on Saturday to order to avoid the military parade, instead encouraging demonstrators in the area to join their flagship march in Philadelphia."

What to know about ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump’s policies; AP, June 12, 2025

 LISA BAUMANN , AP; What to know about ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump’s policies

"President Trump bristled on Thursday at the mention of a series of “No Kings” protests against his administration scheduled for the day of his planned military parade in Washington — coinciding with his 79th birthday...

And the military parade scheduled for Saturday is the latest example of Mr. Trump’s desire to flex military might in openly political displays and surround himself in the pageantry of the armed forces. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump said that any protesters who assembled during the parade would be met with “very big force,”making no distinction between violent confrontations and constitutionally protected peaceful demonstrations.

The organizers of the “No Kings” marches have said that they intentionally had not scheduled demonstrations in Washington, D.C., on Saturday to order to avoid the military parade, instead encouraging demonstrators in the area to join their flagship march in Philadelphia."

Rachel Maddow says Trump is ‘absolutely panicking’ and has ‘no freaking idea’ how to respond to LA protests; The Independent, June 10, 2025

Justin Baragona , The Independent; Rachel Maddow says Trump is ‘absolutely panicking’ and has ‘no freaking idea’ how to respond to LA protests

"“The most important story of our time is this one,” she confidently stated. “What is this country going to allow him to do? This is an attempted authoritarian overthrow of the US Constitution and the US government. The attempted imposition of a dictatorial regime... the question is whether it will work.”"

No Kings Day: June 14 protests set to be biggest yet, will counter Trump military parade in locations nationwide. Here’s what to know; Fast Company, June 10, 2025

JENNIFER MATTSON , Fast Company; No Kings Day: June 14 protests set to be biggest yet, will counter Trump military parade in locations nationwide. Here’s what to know

"June 14 is shaping up to be a big day, with millions of Americans expected to take to the streets in an event dubbed “No Kings Day,” which organizers have said will likely be the largest single-day turnout of the anti-Trump, pro-democracy protest movement since President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January.

Organizers expect 1,800 rallies will take place on Saturday for “a nationwide day of defiance” in every state and major city across the country—except Washington, D.C., as to avoid clashes with the Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations, which will be held that day in the nation’s capital (more on that below).

In a statement to Fast Company, the No Kings organizers described their event as “peaceful, organized, and united.” They added: “Make it clear: We don’t do kings in this country.”"

This Is What Autocracy Looks Like; The New York Times, June 9, 2025

Michelle Goldberg, The New York Times; This Is What Autocracy Looks Like 

"Yes, America has lurched to the right since Trump’s first term, and he can get away with abuses now that would have set off mass outrage then. Plenty of Democrats, burned by the backlash against Black Lives Matter and large-scale illegal immigration, would rather not have a fight over disorder in Los Angeles. “For months, Democrats scarred by the politics of the issue sought to sidestep President Donald Trump’s immigration wars — focusing instead on the economy, tariffs or, in the case of deportations, due process concerns,” reported Politico.

But there’s no sidestepping a president deploying the military in an American city based on ludicrous falsehoods about a foreign invasion. Indeed, it’s hard to think of a clearer signpost on the road to dictatorship. This Saturday, on Trump’s birthday, he’s planning a giant military parade in Washington, ostensibly to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary. Tanks have been photographed en route to the city, the Lincoln Memorial standing tragically in the background, like an image from some Hollywood dystopia.

On that day, there will be demonstrations all over the country under the rubric “No Kings.” I desperately hope that Trump’s attempt to quash protest ends up fueling it. Those who want to live in a free country may be scared, but they shouldn’t be cowed."

What to know about counterprotests to Trump's June 14 parade; Axios, June 7, 2025

 

• April Rubin, Axios; What to know about counterprotests to Trump's June 14 parade

"Protestors are taking to the streets and community hubs nationwide on June 14 in what organizers expect will be the largest single-day anti-President Trump rally since the start of the administration.

Why it matters: The widespread movement will run counter to Trump's multimillion dollar military parade in D.C.

"No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," organizers wrote. "From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism."

More than 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups are partnering to organize the No Kings events.

What they're saying: "Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday," the No Kings website said.

"A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else."

By the numbers: Millions of people are estimated to protest in more than 1,500 cities across all 50 states and commonwealths, organizers said. 

Context: Trump proposed a military parade on his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.

The Army predicts it will spend $25 to $45 million on the plan, an estimate that doesn't include Secret Service or law enforcement.

D.C. is not known for having military parades, but Trump has been vying for one since his first term."