‘No Kings Day’ Protests Set in Valley

Here is All You Need to Know About Local ‘No Kings’ Protests in Coachella Valley

COACHELLA VALLEY — Donald Trump is not a king, and millions are expected to take to the streets throughout the nation, including right here, to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like under the umbrella theme of “No Kings Day.”

No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, citizens will be taking action.

A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. All participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with their values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.

On June 14—Flag Day—President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength, according to the No Kings website. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else.

“We’re not gathering to feed his ego. We’re building a movement that leaves him behind,” No Kings organizers say. “The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it. On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”

In addition to Flag Day, June 14 is also Trump’s 79th birthday. Moreover, it is the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. There will be a large military parade in Washington, D.C., that will include armored vehicles and thousands of troops for the occasion. Trump has touted the size and anticipated spectacle of the military parade, saying on Monday, “We have many tanks. We have all sorts of new ones and very old ones old from World War I and World War II,” and that the military and the U.S. roles in victories in World War I and World War II need to be celebrated as other countries do with their militaries.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to use “heavy force” against “any” protesters at the military parade being held in Washington this weekend.

No Kings Day is “in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies” and asserts that Americans “don’t put up with would-be kings,” according to its website. There are dozens of protests planned in California.

Three protests to date are set to be held in the Coachella Valley — Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs. Rallies are also planned in Beaumont, Joshua Tree and Idyllwild. Here’s what to know about the valley protests:

• The protest in Cathedral City will be held at 68-700 East Palm Canyon Drive from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• The protest in Rancho Mirage will be held at Rancho Mirage City Hall located at 69-825 CA-111 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• The protest in Palm Springs will be held at Downtown Park located at 134 North Museum Way from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Also on June 14, Pope Leo XIV’s hometown of Chicago is readying itself to celebrate the election of one of its own as leader of the Catholic Church. According to the Archdiocese of Chicago’s website, the event will be held on June 14 at Rate Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox. The event comes weeks after the surprising election of Pope Leo XIV.