Why are the media ignoring growing resistance to Trump?; The Guardian, June 13, 2025

 Margaret Sullivan, The Guardian ; Why are the media ignoring growing resistance to Trump?

"When hundreds of thousands of Americans gathered across the US on 5 April for the “Hands Off” events protesting Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s governmental wrecking ball, much of the news media seemed to yawn...

The US media will get a chance to atone for these sins of omission this coming weekend when Americans once again get together, this time for Saturday’s “No Kings” day, which organizers describe as “a nationwide day of defiance”.

“From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism,” they say. More than 100 pro-democracy groups are involved, according to Axios.

It’s expected to be the largest anti-Trump protest since the start of his second term, according to organizers who are planning rallies in 1,500 cities in all 50 states. It’s happening, in part, as a reaction to the military parade in Washington DC that Trump has planned on his 79th birthday and the US army’s 250th anniversary...

A study from a Harvard University political scientist presents a statistic worth remembering: that, around the world, once 3.5% of the population became engaged in sustained and non-violent campaigns of resistance, change has always happened.

Erica Chenoweth, the academic researcher who conducted the study, was surprised by what her team found.

“I was really motivated by some skepticism that non-violent resistance could be an effective method for achieving major transformations in society,” Chenoweth said in a 2019 BBC interview.

But her skepticism was overcome as the study turned up clear results. As one example of many she cites: in 1986, the Marcos regime folded after the fourth day of millions of Filipino citizens taking the streets of Manila.

Non-violent protests, she found, are much more effective – and bring about more lasting change – than armed conflict.

In the US, that 3.5% of the adult population is roughly 9 million people – about the population of New York City. That’s a high bar, many more people than showed up on 5 April.

The encouraging thing is that real change is possible.

However, if journalists consistently look the other way, the power of peaceful citizen protests can fade."

What We Know About the ‘No Kings’ Protests on Saturday; The New York Times, June 13, 2025

 Chris Hippensteel , The New York Times; What We Know About the ‘No Kings’ Protests on Saturday

"Planned protests against the Trump administration that are expected to be among the largest since the president’s second term began will be held across the country on Saturday.

The demonstrations will occur in all 50 states, and organizers have estimated roughly 2,000 gatherings — ranging from small groups in more rural communities to larger rallies in major cities including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Denver. According to a map by organizers, there are some three dozen events scheduled in Indiana alone. Protests are also scheduled in other countries including Britain, Mexico and Germany.

They come as President Trump’s immigration crackdown and decision to deploy the military in Los Angeles have already led to large-scale protests there and additional protests in several other cities.

On the same day as the protests, Mr. Trump has scheduled a military parade in Washington for the Army’s 250th anniversary, which also coincides with his 79th birthday...

One major city is notably absent from the list of planned demonstrations: Washington, D.C., the site of the military parade. The omission was intentional, Ms. Greenberg said.

In remarks earlier this week, Mr. Trump warned that any protesters who rallied against the military parade in Washington would be met with “very big force.”"

What to know about counterprotests to Trump's June 14 parade; Axios, June 7, 2025

  

• April Rubin, Axios; What to know about counterprotests to Trump's June 14 parade

"Protestors are taking to the streets and community hubs nationwide on June 14 in what organizers expect will be the largest single-day anti-President Trump rally since the start of the administration.

Why it matters: The widespread movement will run counter to Trump's multimillion dollar military parade in D.C.

"No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," organizers wrote. "From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism."

More than 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups are partnering to organize the No Kings events.

What they're saying: "Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday," the No Kings website said.

"A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else."

By the numbers: Millions of people are estimated to protest in more than 1,500 cities across all 50 states and commonwealths, organizers said. 

Context: Trump proposed a military parade on his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.

The Army predicts it will spend $25 to $45 million on the plan, an estimate that doesn't include Secret Service or law enforcement.

D.C. is not known for having military parades, but Trump has been vying for one since his first term."