Differing gatherings planned for Flag Day come at a time of heightened tensions over federal immigration enforcement.
Flag Day, which normally passes with little fanfare each June 14, is getting more attention this year—from President Donald Trump, the U.S. Army, and anti-Trump demonstrators.
The Trump administration has planned a grand celebration for the Army’s 250th anniversary, with a large-scale military parade and other events scheduled in the nation’s capital. The June 14 date coincides with the president’s 79th birthday.
The events will be held in the wake of riots in California in opposition to federal immigration enforcement actions.
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of America’s first national flag, as approved by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.
In opposition to the Trump administration, a “No Kings Day of Defiance” protest is planned for 1,800 locations across the nation, according to the No Kings group’s website, which emphasizes a “commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety.”
The group said it is skipping the nation’s capital, stating: “Real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else.”
The group said it didn’t want Trump’s “birthday parade” to be the center of attention.
On June 10, Trump told reporters that he hadn’t heard of any counterdemonstrations to the Flag Day and Army anniversary festivities.
“We’re going to be celebrating big on Saturday … and if there’s any protests who [want] to come out, they’re going to be met with very big force,” the president said. “[These are] people that hate our country.”
The separate camps’ June 14 events come at a time of heightened tensions over increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. After ICE helped snare dozens of alleged illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes in Los Angeles on June 6, anti-ICE demonstrators showed up en masse throughout the weekend and into the following week.
Many waved foreign flags as they defied police orders to disperse. Some protesters turned violent and pelted officers with rocks, water bottles, and explosives, according to police. They also blocked traffic, set cars ablaze, and looted businesses.
In response, police deployed chemical irritants and aimed less-lethal munitions such as rubber bullets at the most violent agitators; more than 100 people were arrested.
