Thousands join 'No Kings' anti-Trump protests in NYC

NEW YORK - Tens of thousands of people in New York City and the Tri-State area joined "No Kings" protests to show their opposition to President Donald Trump's administration on the same day as his grand military parade, held in Washington, D.C. on the 250th anniversary of the Army and Trump's 79th birthday.

How many people protested on ‘No Kings’ Day? 

What we know:

According to New York Post sources, more than 50,000 demonstrators attended protests across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. It's difficult to tell how many people actually protested in the city and throughout the country, however.

Demonstrators were shoulder to shoulder marching down 5th Avenue, which was closed between 42nd and 23rd for hours, according to the NYPD.

A few people were arrested in Lower Manhattan, where a separate "March for Gaza" was reportedly taking place.

New York City's flagship protest, organized by groups like the New York Civil Liberties Union and the New York Immigration Coalition, started at Bryant Park before heading to Madison Square Park. 

What they're saying:

Attendees voiced opposition to Trump's policies, including deportation efforts and perceived authoritarian actions. Event celebrities, like actors Mark Ruffalo and Ilana Glazer, were spotted.

"We the people are smarter than the people in power. We the people are more powerful than the people in power. And not for nothing, we the people actually want to live our lives. They do not want to live their lives, so they focus on controlling ours," Glazer said. 

Protesters carried signs with messages like "No dictators in America" and "Impeach Trump! Abolish ICE!" expressing their dissent and calling for change.

Local perspective:

Hundreds were also seen gathering in Long Island communities like Mineola and Port Jefferson. 

Other planned locations included Newark, Jersey City and Weehawken in New Jersey, according to nokings.org. 

What does ‘No Kings’ mean?

The backstory:

The "No Kings" theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a press release from No Kings.

The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.

Earlier protests organized by 50501 have rallied against Trump and his former billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who led Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency to cut federal spending. 

What is the 'No Kings Day' protest about?

What they're saying:

Protesters are calling for Trump to be "dethroned" as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president.

"They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services," the group says on its website. "They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies."

"The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us," the No Kings website says. "On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

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