While President Donald Trump attends a massive and pricey military parade in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, protests will occur nationwide — including in Indiana.
The “day of defiance” is called “No Kings” and has more than a dozen events scheduled around the Hoosier state.
“On June 14 — Flag Day — Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else,” the No Kings website says. “Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”
An Indianapolis protest runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the Statehouse. Other events include:
- Fort Wayne: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Allen County Courthouse
- Bloomington: Noon to 3 p.m. at the Monroe County Courthouse
- Muncie: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Fallen Heroes Memorial Bridge
- Terre Haute: 10 a.m. to noon at the Vigo County Courthouse
- Corydon: Noon to 2 p.m. in downtown Corydon
The D.C. parade is part of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebration, but it also coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.
The event, according to Army officials, is expected to include about 6,600 soldiers, as well as about 150 vehicles and over 50 aircraft in the celebration. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend.
The costs of the event have ballooned to between $25 million and $45 million, an Army spokesperson told CNBC. Street repairs alone could cost upwards of $16 million, according to NBC.
Some states are sending contingents of National Guard members. The Indiana National Guard said just six soldiers will attend, and on a voluntary basis.
The No Kings group is not having a counter protest in D.C.
“From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like,” the website said. “On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”
The group said it expects participants to act lawfully and seek deescalation in potential confrontations with others. Weapons of any kind, even legal ones, shouldn’t be brought to No Kings events, it added.