Watch a livestream of the military parade in celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary on WTOP, Saturday, June 14.
While thousands of people are expected to attend a huge parade on the National Mall in D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army on Saturday, demonstrations will be held in the District and nationwide protesting President Donald Trump’s administration.
A coalition called No Kings has hundreds of grassroots protests planned all around the nation, including a handful in areas bordering D.C.
“We are celebrating the people and providing an alternative vision to what’s going to be happening in Washington, D.C.,” Rev. Paul Raushenbush told WTOP.
Raushenbush, the president of the Interfaith Alliance, said the peaceful protests aim to be a contrast from the military parade.
“Faith communities are showing up for this because they recognize the way faith flourishes is in a healthy democracy, never in an autocracy or a dictatorship,” he said.
Raushenbush criticized the military parade’s cost, which is estimated at $45 million, amid efforts to cut federal spending through layoffs of federal workers in the D.C. area and scaling back programs that provide food to those in need.
“No one asked for this, aside from President Trump stamping his foot and saying, ‘I want a military parade,'” Raushenbush said. “That money could be so better spent in so many ways in the D.C. area, but also across the country.”
Another event planned for Saturday isn’t associated with No Kings, but has a similar goal.
A group called D.C. Citizens is putting together a rally at Fort Reno Park in Tenleytown. Its theme is “No to Autocracy, Yes to Democracy.”
One of the rally organizers is Lee Ayres, who said a “Visibility Brigade” will gather Saturday at noon near Fort Reno Park with pro-democracy signs and then meet an hour later.
“We are having a more pro-democracy picnic,” Ayres said, calling on people to get involved. “Now is the moment for people to become civically engaged. June 14th is Flag Day. It is a day of celebration. It is not a day of celebration for Donald Trump.”
Ayres also emphasized that D.C. Citizens is concerned over the military parade.
“We see some core values being eroded and we want to come together and make change,” Ayres said. “When you look at the traditional authoritarian rules and playbook, they do try and capture the military for themselves.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a post on X that the freedom to protest “is a cornerstone of American democracy — and one of our greatest heirlooms as a state and nation.
“Safety is our highest priority, and our administration has been in close coordination with both community leaders and law enforcement in service of keeping our people and neighborhoods safe. We are a state that will protect the rights of the people, and also uphold the law,” Moore wrote.
Protests around the region
Alexandria, Virginia: No Kings protest. There are a few events, as one might suspect. Alexandria’s is 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Market Square.
Arlington, Virginia: No Kings protest. Call a nationwide act of defiance, Arlington’s event will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Rock Spring Congregational Church.
Culpeper, Virginia: No Kings protest and community gathering (according to a news release, it’s expected to be one of the largest). It’ll be at the pedestrian sidewalk along James Madison Highway from 10 a.m. to noon.
Takoma Park, Maryland: Takoma Park’s No Kings protest will run from noon to 2 p.m. at 7505 New Hampshire Ave.
Bowie, Maryland: Demonstrators plan to meet up for a No Kings protest Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 15210 Annapolis Rd. A spokesperson for the library located at that address told WTOP the institution is not involved with the protest.
WTOP’s Jessica Kronzer, Jeff Leon and Alan Etter contributed to this report.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect that the library where one group of protesters plans to meet is not affiliated with the demonstration.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
