Several thousand protesters flooded the streets of downtown New Orleans on Saturday to demonstrate against what organizers called President Donald Trump’s “authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of democracy.”
The No Kings Day of Action protest was part of a series of demonstrations in cities across the nation, scheduled to coincide with an elaborate military parade organized by the Trump administration on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Saturday is also Flag Day and the president’s 79th birthday.
A handful of New Orleans Police Department units monitored the demonstration in the Marigny before noon, and there was no evidence of any disruptions among the participants. The mood was light, with children and pets in the crowd. Protesters marched down Decatur Street, dressed in tutus and sequins, carrying rainbow parasols.
“This is all scraps mended to make a flag. We need to work together to fix our country” said Monique Motil, who was dressed as a flag draped statue of liberty.” I got my needle to stitch us together into a cohesive country that works for everyone.”
In the nation’s capital, the army’s 250th-anniversary parade is the opening event of its semi-quincentennial on June 14. It was already in the works when, earlier this spring, the president announced his intention to ratchet up the event into a full-scale military parade on his birthday— the first major military parade in Washington since 1991.
Trump, who is expected to speak in Washington as part of the affair, pitches the occasion as a way to celebrate U.S. power and service members’ sacrifice. But there are bipartisan concerns about the cost as well as concerns about whether Trump is blurring traditional understandings of what it means to be a civilian commander in chief.
“This is very much a satirical response to Donald Trump’s $100 million tax-funded military parade that makes him feel big, special and important,” organizer Beth Davis said on Friday. “Meanwhile Louisianians are losing FEMA response, health care funding through Medicaid, and the National Weather Service predictions heading into hurricane season. If we have money for a parade, we have money to protect Louisianians.”
Roscoe Johnson, who turned out on Saturday, echoed those thoughts. “All of us see a growing sentiment of authoritarianism. We are out here to take the first step toward connections that allow us to confront this and fight it anyway we need to.”
For his part, Stephen Lindsley said he was surprised by the size of the protest. “They’re still pouring in from all directions,“ he said. “It’s good to see people understand the gravity of the situation.”
Late Friday, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a statement warning demonstrators not to damage property.
“The First Amendment guarantees the right to peacefully assemble and petition the government — it does not protect anarchy, vandalism, or rioting,” she wrote on social media. “This isn’t California. I’ll defend constitutionally-protected activity, but I’ll prosecute criminal actions.”
In New Orleans, the “celebratory parade exercising free speech” is about “feeling empowered to advocate for the constitution,” Davis said.
Dance krewes Sassyracs, Krewe da Bhan Gras, Krewe Of Goddesses, Krewe de Lune and the Star Steppin’ Cosmonaughties performed, as did brass bands Bettis + 3rd Degree Brass Band, The FORCE for Chewbacchus and Bra’s Band.
Several brand-new krewes, including “TACOCAT Ladies” and “No Empires,” formed for the day.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
