“The spirit of Philadelphia is the spirit of America.” -Libertine. Jamie Raskin (D-MD.), Saying in “No Kings” Philadelphia
In a city plunged into the revolutionary past, the symbolism of Flag Day (June 14) was crucial for the message “No kings” – the national festival of American ideals reformulated as a demand for their defense.
Love Park to the Parkway: Mark with a message
On Saturday afternoon, when military equipment gathered in Washington on the 250th anniversary of the American Army, As many as 80,000 protesters Collected in Love Park at the demonstration of No Kings in Philadelphia. Philadelphia served as a flagship location among several hundred coordinated places throughout the country, serving as a nationwide day of action strategically on the Flagship Day and 79th birthday of Donald Trump.
With all the length of Ben Franklin Parkway from 18th Street to Eakins Oval closed to traffic, demonstrators marched up Benjamin Franklin Parkway towards the stairs of the Museum of Art in Philadelphia. Protesters adopted well -known city monuments and monuments with signs that refer to authoritarianism, exceeding the management and a military parade of $ 45 million, which the organizers of “No Kings” described as complete waste of public funds, while public services such as food assistance and food assistance Medicaid face cutting.
Calming these cuts as double -sided and, more importantly, humanitarian question, speaker “No Kings”, bishop William J. Barber, co -chairman Campaign of penniless peopleHe recalled the importance of protecting our healthcare system and social security network: “These are not liberal or conservative values, but moral.”
Bottom -up above the Grandate
The “No Kings” initiative emerged with Coalition of several groupsin this IndivisibleIN Moveonand 50501 Movement. “No Kings” was created to coordinate operations in 50 states. The organizers found that the protest was to contrast sharply with the show of presidential power on a symbolic day in the country.
The protesters intended to regain the symbolism of the Flag Day with a message of bottom -up democracy in the city where The first American flag He was sewn.
Although no protests have been planned in the DC under the “No Kings” banner, the purposeful one lack The visual contrast resulting from this was part of the organizer’s goal: building decentralized, peaceful protest events throughout the country in places such as Philadelphia to create a contrasting narrative without direct confrontation.
“Get involved in not using violence, not only as a strategy, but as a way of life”, Martin Luther King III begged the crowd at the Rally of Philadelphia “No Kings”.
Without violence It is the cornerstone of the “No Kings” movement, in which the organizers explain that all demonstrations are to remain composed and lawful. The campaign calls for de -escalation in the face of a conflict, emphasizing the collective action as a show of public resistance, and not as a platform for confrontation.
“Lack of violence is a sword that is treated. It is strong weapons,” King encouraged. From Saturday night, the police did not report any arrests related to the protest.
Over one day: a long thread of protest in Philadelphia
The march gathered on the stairs of the Art Museum – a familiar rally point in local activism. IN city ​​of districts where the streets are named after the revolutionaries, protest here It is part of a long history of civic life.
The organizers emphasized that the protest had more than one day. In Philly and beyond, the “No Kings” campaign has a broader appeal for civic participation, democratic responsibility and enduring local commitment.
“Philadelphia is a difficult and loving city”, Jamie Raskin’s representative reminded the crowd: “And you know how to overthrow kings here.”
What do we have? Question on Earth
Old Town about acute memories in which democracy was established and interruptedThe protest remains as local as pretzels and parades, but it is never considered something obvious. The protests remain powerful, and more importantly, possible. Even in the rain thousands of people appeared together.
The unique and unprecedented pursuit of energetic self-government-“American Experiment”, for the first time imagined in Philadelphia, was a radical departure from the monarchy.
After the constitutional convention of 1787 in Philadelphia, Elizabeth Wills Powel allegedly asked Benjamin Franklin: “Doctor, what we have – a republic or monarchy?”
Franklin reportedly replied: “Republic, if you can stop her.”
Does democracy based on ideals founded 250 years ago remain resistant and significant in the country increasingly marked by deepening Divisions And indifference?
This may be a decisive question about American experience today.
Go to the scenes on Earth from the “No Kings” protest from Philadelphia.
