Saturday, June 14, is shaping up to be a historic day of protest across the United States. In direct response to President Donald Trump’s controversial actions—including a large-scale military parade in Washington, D.C., and the deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles—activists are organizing No Kings Day, a national day of defiance against authoritarianism and erosion of democratic norms.
According to organizers, more than 2,100 protests are scheduled nationwide, with an estimated 5.7 million people expected to participate. In Western Massachusetts, at least a dozen cities and towns will host events ranging from rallies and marches to family-friendly community gatherings.
The National Context: Parade, Power, and Protest
The protests coincide with a $40 million military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and marking President Trump’s 79th birthday. The parade is set to feature 6,700 uniformed troops, 150 combat vehicles, and 50 helicopters, prompting critics to label it a theatrical show of strength aimed more at political image-building than national unity.
President Trump has stated that any demonstrations near the parade in D.C. will be met with “very heavy force,” a remark that has only intensified public outrage and galvanized grassroots mobilization.
What Is No Kings Day?
No Kings Day is a decentralized national protest movement coordinated by 50501, Indivisible, and hundreds of grassroots organizations across the country. The campaign rejects the symbolic and practical implications of authoritarian power, drawing historical parallels between Trump’s presidency and the monarchical oppression that fueled the American Revolution.
Organizers frame the day as not just a protest, but a movement to reclaim democracy and resist the normalization of military displays, censorship, immigrant persecution, and concentration of power.
“On June 14—Flag Day—President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else,” reads a statement on the No Kings Day website.
Western Massachusetts Gears Up for Action
Communities throughout Western Massachusetts are stepping up with diverse events reflecting local energy and national urgency. Here’s a roundup of the major events planned in the region:
Springfield Rally
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Where: Federal Building, 300 State Street
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Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
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Organizers: Indivisible – Swing Left Western Mass, Rise Up Western MA Indivisible (RUWMI), Defending Democracy in Hampden County (DDHC), and Northampton Resists
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What to Expect:
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Powerful speeches from constitutional attorney John Bonifaz, veteran John Paradis, and elected officials including Senators Warren and Markey, State Senator Adam Gomez, and Councilwoman Zaida Govan
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Community leaders and youth activists from organizations like the Young Feminist Party, Mass Senior Action Council, and Springfield No One Leaves
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Live music, spirited crowd participation, and a call to “bring signs, flags, and friends”
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No Kings Amherst
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Where: Kendrick Park, 4 East Pleasant Street
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Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
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Highlights:
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Group dancing as an act of joyful resistance
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Sign-making spaces to express personal demands and dreams
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Attendees encouraged to wear T-shirts or costumes honoring historical and contemporary changemakers
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Emphasis on unity, expression, and creativity in pushing back against fear and division
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No Kings Northampton
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Where: City Hall, 210 Main Street
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Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
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Organized by: Young Feminist Party Amherst
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Speakers Include:
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Congressman Jim McGovern
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State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa
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Youth activists such as Alice Jenkins, Joey Pisani, and Marisol Pierce Bonifaz
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Special Appearance: The Raging Grannies, delivering protest songs with a twist
Additional Events Across Western Mass
Other towns participating include Agawam, Ashfield, Barre, Becket, Belchertown, Granby, Greenfield, Haydenville, Orange, Palmer, Pittsfield, and Westfield. Each town will hold local demonstrations in coordination with the national movement. For a full list of events in Western Massachusetts, check the local event directory.
A Return to Revolutionary Roots
The protest’s name, “No Kings Day,” is a direct allusion to the colonial rebellion against monarchy in 1776, calling out what organizers say is a dangerous drift toward autocracy. Writing in The American Prospect, journalist Harold Meyerson underscored the symbolic parallel:
“On June 14, 1775, America created an army to defend itself against an alien force seizing Americans to suppress their right to home rule. On June 14, 2025, Americans will be demonstrating against not just our wannabe king, but against his decision to deploy our own armed forces as a domestic army of occupation.”
Outrage Over Military Deployments in Los Angeles
Fueling further unrest is Trump’s recent deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles, an act widely condemned as unconstitutional and authoritarian. Over the past week, 25 protests have erupted across 12 states, including Georgia, Kentucky, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, according to NBC News and NPR.
These protests come in the wake of nationwide immigration raids, prompting growing resistance from both red and blue states alike. Critics argue that the use of military power against American citizens violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which forbids the federal military from engaging in domestic law enforcement.
What’s Next?
Organizers emphasize that June 14 is just the beginning. With elections looming and civic unrest rising, the No Kings movement aims to grow into a sustained campaign that combines policy advocacy, community organizing, and direct action.
“The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,” one organizer said. “We’re not watching history happen—we’re making it.”
As millions take to the streets across the country, from the National Mall to neighborhood parks, the message is clear: America is not a monarchy. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.
For more information or to join a protest near you, visit www.mobilize.us or follow local organizers on social media.
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