‘No Kings’ protest planned in metro Atlanta, across state, nation on Saturday | What to know

Editor’s note: The video above is from previous coverage.

ATLANTA, Ga. (AP/Atlanta News First) - Opponents of President Donald Trump’s administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during the military parade in Washington for the Army’s 250th anniversary — which coincides with Trump’s birthday.

The “No Kings” protests are set to take place to counter what organizers say are Trump’s plans to feed his ego on what is also his 79th birthday and Flag Day.

The Army birthday celebration had already been planned. But earlier this spring, Trump announced his intention to ratchet up the event to include 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets. He has long sought a similar display of patriotic force.

Why is it called No Kings?

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.

Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, the now former leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, a government organization designed to slash federal spending. Protesters have called 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, referring to the Trump administration and its policies. “They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.”

Why are they protesting on Saturday?

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.

“We should be adhering to the will of the people and not hearing to the will of any one particular person in government,” Sarah Hunt-Blackwell with ACLU Georgia said. “We’re seeing a lot of executive orders coming down that discriminate against people, we see slashes to Medicaid, we see people literally being taken off of the streets by ICE agents.”

It is happening to counter the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration, which Trump has ratcheted up to include an expensive, lavish military parade. The event will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be his 79th birthday and Flag Day.

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

Where are the protests?

Protests in nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country, from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, according to the No Kings website.

No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., however, where the parade will be held. The group says it will “make action everywhere else the story of America that day.”

No Kings plans instead to hold a major flagship march and rally in Philadelphia to draw a clear contrast between its people-powered movement and what they describe as the “costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade” in Washington, according to the No Kings website.

Are there any No Kings protests in Georgia?

About 30 No Kings protests are planned in Georgia, the movement’s website shows. The largest one will be in Atlanta, with protestors gathering downtown at Liberty Plaza next to the Georgia State Capitol from 10 a.m. to noon.

Several others are scattered around metro Atlanta, including in Marietta, Tucker, Douglasville, Athens, McDonough, Griffin, Newnan, Carrollton and multiple other locations.

“Americans have the right to peacefully protest, but no American has the right to destroy property, loot businesses or attack police officers,” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said.

Click here to see a full map of where the protests are planned.

What is planned at the No Kings protests?

People of all ages are expected to come together in the protest locations for speeches, marching, carrying signs and waving American flags, organizers said in a call Wednesday.

On the group’s website, it says a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. Participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with them.

The ACLU of Georgia said this weekend’s protest in downtown Atlanta will be peaceful, but if the past violence at other unrelated protests is a predictor of future behavior, Trump said their are concerns.

“These are paid insurrectionists; these are paid troublemakers. They’re agitators. They’re paid,” Trump said this week.

Weapons of any kind should not be brought to events, according to the website.

How many people are expected to participate?

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