
Over a dozen ‘No Kings’ protests planned across Charlotte area
This weekend’s “No Kings Day of Defiance” will feature large-scale protests across the country against President Donald Trump.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Protests against federal immigration enforcement and President Donald Trump’s decision to mobilize the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles are spreading nationwide with hundreds of demonstrations scheduled for this weekend.
Over a dozen “No Kings” protests are planned for the Charlotte area on Saturday to coincide with Trump’s planned military parade in Washington. Organizers say their message is clear: “In America, we don’t have kings.” The Trump administration said immigration raids and deportations will continue regardless of any protests.
“The corruption has gone too far,” the No Kings website says. “No thrones. No crowns. No kings.”
Protesters will take to the streets on June 14 in what’s expected to be the largest single day of anti-Trump protests since the president took office in January. In addition to the “No Kings” protests, several Charlotte organizations are coming together for a “Naked Emperor Parade & March” at First Ward Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
“No Kings” protests in the Charlotte area:
Charlotte: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.Waxhaw: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Monroe: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Concord: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Albemarle: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Salisbury: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Mooresville: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Statesville: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Newton: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Burke County: 10 a.m. – noonLenoir: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Shelby: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Wadesboro: Noon – 2 p.m. Rock Hill: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
On Thursday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it was preparing for the rally.
“The safety of Charlotte residents and visitors is our top priority,” CMPD wrote online. “We’re committed to protecting everyone’s right to peacefully gather and encourage everyone coming to Uptown to enjoy the city responsibly. Stay hydrated, be aware of your surroundings and remember to lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.”
Trump left open the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, which authorizes the president to deploy military forces inside the U.S. to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations. It’s one of the most extreme emergency powers available to a U.S. president.
“If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it,” he said from the Oval Office. “We’ll see.”
Later the president called protesters “animals” and “a foreign enemy” in a speech at Fort Bragg ostensibly to recognize the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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