An epic military parade that US President Donald Trump has been hoping for years on Washington, DC’s Constitutional Avenue Saturday with tanks, troops and 21 guns.
It opposed the counterpoint of protest across the country by those who accused the American leader of being dictators and kings.
During the parade, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, he sat in a special viewing stand south of the White House, beginning early to see the display of American military forces, with bright rain falling and dark clouds swiftly moving as the Washington memorial was covered.
The procession, carrying over 6,000 soldiers and 128 army tanks, was one of those who tried to make it in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but there was no plan at all until the parade was added to an event that recognized the Army’s 250th anniversary this year.
Parade covered nationwide with “kings” protests across the country
Hours before the parade began, demonstrators were spotted on streets and parks across the country to compete with the Republican president. They used the military to respond to those protesting his deportation efforts and criticised Trump for his muscular military show in the US capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters spread signs that they said they weren’t far from the equipment of armored vehicles, helicopters and military grade equipment installed to commemorate the military’s birthday. Vendors outside the festival sold gear marking military milestones. Others hakked card themed products.
Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Trump, took part in the day’s festivities to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday, but said the parade was “a little up to the top.”
Pointing to nearby tanks, Haynes said rolling them down the street was “probably a very bold statement to the world.”
The “No Kings” rally unfolds in hundreds of cities and is designed to counteract what organizers said was Trump’s plan to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and flag day. Organizers said they chose their name to support democracy and oppose what they called the Trump administration’s authoritarian actions.
The parade was added to a planned Army birthday celebration a few weeks ago, attracting criticism over price tags of up to $45 million and the possibility that sawmills could tear down city streets. The Army is taking various measures to protect the roads, including laying metal plates along the route.
The day’s exhibit for the US military comes as Trump showed his willingness to use the country’s military power in a way that other US presidents normally avoided.
Last week he urged the California State Guard to activate without the governor’s permission, sending US Marines to provide security during the Los Angeles protests related to immigrant raids, and halt deployment in state lawsuits.
Ongoing tensions in Los Angeles
Previous calm demonstrations in downtown LA were quickly confused as police charged into the crowd, and were struck with wooden sticks and batons as they cleared the streets in front of a federal building.
Officers then fired tear gas in large groups, controlled crowds in large groups, and passed through the streets through demonstrators, hot dog vendors and street pedestrians. Some people ignored the LAPD distribution order and reorganized it.
“Less lethality is approved. If it’s not fatal, it can cause discomfort and pain. We recommend that everyone leave the area,” police said in a post on X.
“It was a total of 100% overreaction. We weren’t doing anything other than standing around peacefully protesting,” said Samantha Eggerton, a 37-year-old bartender.
Marines first appeared at demonstrations as they were deployed to the city with a mission mentioned to protect federal property on Friday.
Dozens of Marines stood shoulder to shoulder on their rifles, next to other law enforcement agencies, including officers from the National Guard’s Department of Homeland Security, in full combat equipment.
In front of them, hundreds of protesters jeered in English and Spanish, telling the federal forces to go home.
