Protests against President Donald Trump have taken place in towns and cities across the US in a coordinated event titled “No Kings”.
The demonstrations were held to counter a rare military parade hosted by Trump in Washington DC, and came after days of protests in Los Angeles and elsewhere over his immigration policies.
Lawmakers, union leaders and activists gave speeches in cities including New York, Philadelphia and Houston to crowds waving American flags and placards critical of Trump.
The military parade on Saturday evening, also Trump’s birthday, was timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army. He warned that any protests at the parade would be met with “heavy force”.
Organisers said there were hundreds of protests with millions of participants.
In Philadelphia, people gathered in Love Park. “I just feel like we need to defend our democracy,” Karen Van Trieste, a 61-year-old nurse, told the Associated Press.
She said Trump’s staffing cuts to public health agencies were one of the reasons why she turned out.
