Participants of the March 4 Defend Democracy protest, at the corner of North Broadway and High Avenue in New Philadelphia. Credit: © ANDREW DOLPH/TIMES-REPORTER / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker reaffirmed her office’s close coordination with local law enforcement as the city prepares for Saturday’s “No Kings” protests.
The rallies, occurring nationwide, are in response to President Trump’s estimated $45 million military parade. The parade formally celebrates the Army’s 250th birthday, but it also coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday, prompting critics to denounce the festivities as self-aggrandizing.
Demonstrators intend to denounce the actions of the Trump Administration, conveying, “In America, we don’t do kings,” as the event’s website states. The protests follow Trump’s order to deploy federal forces to contain ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles, a move deemed illegal by a federal judge.
Philadelphia’s protest is planned to take place from noon to 3 p.m., beginning at LOVE Park, and then marchers will proceed to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. With protests intentionally not occurring in Washington, D.C. – the venue of Trump's parade – Philadelphia was dubbed the flagship protest. Additional Philly-area protests will be held in Conshohocken, Springfield, Havertown, Ardmore, Media, and Norristown.
On Thursday, at a City Hall news conference, Mayor Parker spoke about preparations for the protests.
“Philadelphia is ready for this weekend,” said Parker. “We respect everyone’s First Amendment rights to protest and free speech ... but we want to be equally clear: The Philadelphia Police Department will maintain public safety and order in our streets and our neighborhoods because that’s their mission.”
Parker’s firm partnership with the Philadelphia Police echoed her office’s stance earlier in the week, which solely noted coordination with the department ahead of immigration protests. The Center City rally led to physical clashes between officers and demonstrators, ultimately resulting in 15 arrests.
City officials walk a balancing act between advocating for the constitutional right to free assembly and maintaining order during potential unrest. Some social media users condemned Tuesday’s actions of the Philadelphia Police Department, while Parker has emphasized the importance of law enforcement presence.
“We are coordinating closely with our public safety and law enforcement partners at every level of government,” Parker said at Thursday’s conference. “That is local, that is state and federal, and it’s what we did for the Eagles parade… It’s a standard operating procedure.”
At a Wednesday Senate hearing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth alluded to the notion that Trump’s order to deploy federal forces in Los Angeles could be replicated in other places. Some wonder if this could occur on Saturday for the “No Kings” protests, particularly in Philadelphia, which will host the event’s national livestream.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro told The Washington Post that he will protect the rights of protestors if Trump sends federal troops into Philadelphia or other Pennsylvania-based demonstrations. Shapiro is confident that local law enforcement will adequately handle protests, but if violence breaks out, he will be the one to call for the National Guard.
“Should the Guard be needed, it would be deployed at my direction, following a legal process,” said Shapiro. “Not the way it’s been done in California.”
