Protests across the US against Trump: There is no way to become a king

Thousands of people took to the streets across the United States on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump and his military parade in Washington. The rallies, which were held under the slogan "No Kings," were a national day of protest against the Trump administration, its policies, and its political style.

The rallies were held in New York, Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles, and other major cities. Local politicians, civic activists, and union leaders took part, waved American flags, and held banners critical of Trump. Their main demand was to oppose the erosion of democracy, the trampling of human rights, and the transformation of one person into an autocrat who seeks absolute control over power.

Although the military parade held in Washington today was officially dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the US Army, the fact that it coincided with Trump's 79th birthday celebration gave the event a political dimension. More than 6,000 soldiers, 150 pieces of military equipment, and more than 50 aircraft and helicopters took part in the parade. The heavy equipment traveled 2,500 km from Texas and was brought there by special trains and trucks.

However, this grand event did not receive universal support. Some politicians and former military leaders considered the parade a politicization of the US Army and a shameless waste of taxpayers' money. According to the Pentagon, the parade cost about $45 million.

Meanwhile, protests continued in other parts of the country. There were protests against ICE's detention and deportation practices, street protests in Los Angeles, and heated speeches against Trump. In particular, Jose Azetcla, a member of the Brown Berets human rights organization, spoke out against Trump's immigration policy: "This is not just harshness - it is evil. You can't separate families," he told the BBC.

Among the protesters gathered in Philadelphia's Love Park was 61-year-old nurse Karen Van Trieste. In his speech, he said he was attending the rally because of Trump's cuts to the state health care system: "We must protect our democracy, and for this our voices must be heard."

Trump responded to the protests with a stern warning. He said that those who tried to protest during the military parade would be met with "great force." This attitude led to even more criticism, especially from the point of view of the military's interference in civil matters.

Surprisingly, in Los Angeles, where one of the largest protests took place, local officials and police insisted that they were in control of the situation and that neither the National Guard nor federal troops were needed. In some cities, the situation has become even more tense: in Minnesota, two lawmakers were attacked, one of whom died and the other was seriously injured. A protest schedule and anti-Trump leaflets were found in the suspect's car.

At the same time, public opinion polls show that Americans still have a positive view of Trump's immigration policy. According to a CBS/YouGov poll, 54 percent of those surveyed support the policy of deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally.

In short, Saturday was another day in American history when civil activism and political freedom were at their strongest. The protests and demonstrations against the Trump administration expressed the common position not only of those who opposed the president, but also of millions of people who were concerned about the future of their country. The protesters said in unison: “No to kings!” — and these words proved that American democratic values are still alive.