Three weeks after the “No Kings” nationwide protests on June 14, the Women’s March is organizing protests on the Fourth of July to reject President Donald Trump and his policies and “free America from the grip of hate and the politics of fear.”
“Independence Day is about the fight for freedom,” the group said on its website. “America is in crisis. Real democracy feels out of reach. Freedom is in trouble. … This July 4th weekend, while the U.S. marks Independence Day, we’ll gather across the country — on porches, in town squares, backyards, and streets — to stand for real freedom and build a vision of a Free America brick by brick.”
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Here’s what to know about the protests:
What are the protests about?
The Women’s March has previously coordinated protests against sexism and oppression. It said its “Free America” protests aim to free the United States from “greedy billionaires who rig the system for themselves” and “arbitrary firings and a flood of unlawful orders,” as well as “fight for our freedoms before they’re gone.”
“No one should be subjected to authoritarians overwhelming us with policies designed to spread fear and control,” the group said. “Everyone should be able to afford food, rent, health care, and a decent life.”
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The group urged participants to host block parties to “free America,” form marches or public protests, build altars, murals, or posters, and “occupy space joyfully.”
“Families are still being targeted by ICE. Friends are being silenced by fear. Rights are quietly being stripped away. But we refuse to stay silent. We’re asking you to help us make this year’s event not only powerful — but purposeful,” the group said in a statement.
Where and when are they happening?
The group has planned about 150 protests across most states, including in the Washington, D.C., area, New York, California, Wisconsin, Illinois, Florida, and Massachusetts.
Other organizations will also host anti-Trump protests on July Fourth.
United+ and the Democratic Progressive Caucus are planning a joint twilight march and candlelight vigil at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The groups are scheduled to protest on the evening of July 4, featuring a balloon depicting Trump as a baby, according to a Facebook post.
“We are engaged in a peaceful protest against Trump’s insane, cruel, kakistocracy, and sadism (T.I.C.K.S.), and the outrageous and illegal behavior of his current Administration,” the post said.
Another group, the People’s Union USA, is encouraging people to boycott large corporations and avoid fireworks shows to show solidarity against immigration enforcement and wealth inequality.
Other past and upcoming protests
The “No Kings” protests, which aimed to overshadow the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C., and Trump’s 79th birthday, were in opposition to Trump’s “authoritarianism.”
“No Kings” refers to the group’s desire to see Trump “dethroned.” It says his leadership feels more like that of a king than an elected president.
Trump responded to the “No Kings” movement, saying he doesn’t feel like a king.
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“A king would say, ‘I’m not going to get this.’ A king would have never had the California mandate to even be talking, he wouldn’t have to call up [Speaker] Mike Johnson and [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune and say, ‘Fellas, you got to pull this off,’ and after years we get it done,” Trump told reporters in June. “No, no, we’re not a king. We’re not a king at all.”
The organizers of “No Kings” are planning more protests on July 17, dubbed “Good Trouble Lives On.” These protests will highlight voting rights, racial justice, and democracy in honor of the late Democratic Georgia Rep. John Lewis. The protests will take place on the five-year anniversary of Lewis’s death.