From coast to coast, Americans took to the streets in the largest wave of protests since Donald Trump’s return to office, voicing deep concerns over what they view as a dangerous erosion of democracy. United under the rallying cry “No Kings”, demonstrators flooded urban centers in more than 2,000 coordinated actions across the country on Saturday, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday and a rare military parade in the capital.
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In New York City, tens of thousands braved pouring rain to march down Fifth Avenue. Cloaked in raincoats and armed with umbrellas, the massive crowd chanted in rhythm: “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!” a familiar refrain in protest movements of past years, now given fresh urgency.
In Atlanta, over 6,000 protesters gathered in front of the State Capitol. Elderly demonstrators marched alongside young families, some pushing strollers. “It gives me energy and hope,”said Mary Todaro, 69. “I’ve never felt democracy so threatened. We must rise and defend our rights.”
Tim Fredlund, another attendee, warned of complacency: “This government is systematically undermining the Constitution. Those who stay silent or idle become complicit.”
While the Atlanta protest remained peaceful, tensions escalated in the nearby suburb of Chamblee, where police dispersed a crowd with tear gas following an immigration raid. Leoul, one of the protesters, condemned the aggressive tactics: “It feels like something out of Nazi Germany. Immigration officers are detaining people at daycare centers, in courtrooms, people just trying to follow the rules and live their lives.
Despite the crackdown, demonstrators regrouped, waving flags and holding signs along the roadsides in defiance.
In Los Angeles, at least 20,000 demonstrators took part in a peaceful march denouncing Trump’s policies, particularly the recent deployment of the National Guard and federal immigration forces in the city.
Sarah, a high school teacher, expressed her alarm at the visible presence of armed agents in schools: “Several of my students missed their final exams out of fear. They were scared they’d be detained or that their families would be taken. This is not just about politics, it’s about whether people feel safe going to school.”
Human rights groups have accused federal immigration agents of conducting raids based on racial profiling, an accusation supported by personal accounts. Rose, a young woman whose family is undocumented, explained: “My mom has lived here since she was a teenager. Now she’s afraid to leave the house, she can’t work. These raids are destroying families, we live in fear every day.”
Although the protest in Los Angeles remained largely peaceful under the watch of the National Guard, tear gas was deployed after the official march ended.
The day began with the tragic news of a suspected politically motivated double murder in Minnesota. Melissa Hortman, a 55-year-old state legislator, and her husband were found dead in their home early Saturday. Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz condemned the killings as a “deliberate act of political violence. “In a separate incident, another Democratic lawmaker and his wife were critically wounded by gunfire in their residence.
Protesters across the country paid tribute to the slain representative, holding signs bearing her name and calling for justice. Authorities are actively searching for a 57-year-old white male suspect, described as armed and dangerous.
In Virginia, tensions escalated further when a man intentionally drove his vehicle into a group of protesters leaving a demonstration. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
As protests swept the nation, President Trump revelled in the grandeur of a military parade in Washington, D.C., a spectacle rarely seen in the United States since the 1991 Gulf War victory parade. Officially organized to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, the timing, coinciding with Trump’s birthday, drew criticism from observers who viewed it as a symbolic assertion of personal power.
Arriving just after 6:00 p.m., Trump was greeted by chants of “USA! USA!” and a 21-gun salute. Seated alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other cabinet members, he stood repeatedly to salute as nearly 7,000 troops, 150 military vehicles, and a flyover of fighter jets and helicopters passed in review.
Despite the pageantry, AFP reporters noted a muted crowd. Critics argue the spectacle, highly unusual in American political tradition, underscores Trump’s ongoing push to expand presidential powers.
While the parade may have celebrated military strength, the mood across much of the country told a different story — one of fear, resistance, and a fight to preserve democratic norms. As Mary Todaro said in Atlanta, “I’ve lived through wars, recessions, and scandals. But this, this is the first time I fear for the very soul of America.”
