Local opponents of the Trump administration’s policies are planning a rally in Riverhead tomorrow, one of some 2,000 rallies scheduled to take place across the country in a “No Kings Day of Defiance.”
National organizers are calling on people to “reject authoritarianism” by standing up against the administration’s policies and actions.
“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings,” the NoKings.org website declares.
The theme of tomorrow’s event is a product of the 50501 Movement — which stands for “50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement.” The rallies are being organized by coalitions of volunteer citizens, activist groups and local Democratic party committees.
Organizers say the “No Kings” day event was set up to counter the president’s plans for a military parade tomorrow in the nation’s capital — complete with planes, tanks, howitzers and marching battalions to honor the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Army. June 14 is also Flag Day and President Trump’s 79th birthday.
Washington D.C. is not among the cities and towns where a “No Kings” rally is scheduled.
“On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings,” organizers said in a statement.
Trump has warned that anyone who protests at the military parade in Washington tomorrow would be met with “very big force.” Protesters, he said,
“Hate our country.”
The president’s comments came during a week in which the president federalized 4,000 California National Guard troops and deployed 700 Marines to Los Angeles, where protests erupted last Friday in response to raids and arrests in the city by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other local officials, including the chief of police, decried the federal response as an unnecessary escalation, while the president and administration officials have said the troops are necessary to maintain order.
Some of the protests sparked violent confrontations between protesters and city police, who report arresting more than 160 protesters since June 7, with about 100 of those for failing to leave the area when ordered to do so.
Organizers say a core principle of the movement is peaceful protest, a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. They warn participants not to engage with any hecklers or be drawn into any disputes.
“The president cannot stop us from speaking out peacefully,” a local organizer told registered participants in an email.
Rallies are scheduled across Long Island tomorrow, including several other locations on the East End — Orient, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Sag Harbor and East Hampton — as well as in Patchogue and Port Jefferson.
The rally in Riverhead is scheduled to take place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. outside the State Supreme Court building on Griffing Avenue. Organizers say more than 700 people have registered to attend. It will take place rain or shine.
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