Thousands of people — some in patriotic costumes and many carrying signs that were by turns angry, funny and profane — marched from LOVE Park to the Ben Franklin Parkway on Saturday as part of the “No Kings” march, held to critique President Trump and his policies on everything from reproductive rights to immigration to what many saw as constitutional overreach.
The marchers listened to a long lineup of speakers, highlighted by Poor People’s Campaign co-chair the Rev. William Barber, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Martin Luther King III.
The marchers came from across the region — and as far away as Washington, D.C., and even Minnesota. In the morning, SEPTA Regional Rail trains were packed with riders who spoke to each other and cheered for particularly funny signs.
The march was the product of many organizations and is a response to President Trump’s decision to hold a military parade on Flag Day, which also happens to be his 79th birthday. The march here is one of as many as 2,000 nationwide, though there will be none in D.C.
“When we announced the No Kings Day for this Saturday, June 14th, we said from the get-go, this is going to happen everywhere but downtown D.C.,” Ezra Levin, a co-executive director of Indivisible, told WHYY News’ Carmen Russell Sluchansky. “He can have downtown D.C. for his little parade.”
By 11 a.m., a growing crowd had gathered around the LOVE sculpture and was warming up with some chants.
Check in with Billy Penn throughout the day as we talk to march participants and share a photo gallery of the best protest signs. Our colleagues at WHYY will also be covering Philadelphia’s celebration of the U.S. military’s 250th anniversary with family-friendly events on Independence Mall.
Need to know how to get around town? Check out our march explainer, which included full details about the event. And if you protesting isn’t your thing, we have a full roster of events on a very busy weekend.
Or if you really need a break, check out how people voted in our poll about your favorite Pennsylvania-based candies.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
