In June, the ACLU of New Jersey joined demonstrations in Newark, Princeton, and Trenton for No Kings Day to reject authoritarianism and show what true democracy looks like.
No Kings Day was a day of mass mobilization in defiance of the Trump administration’s increasing abuses of power. It was created in response to President Trump’s multi-million-dollar military parade in Washington D.C. on June 14, which was also his birthday, Flag Day, and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
Interest in the No Kings movement surged after President Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid widespread protests of his administration's cruel immigration policies. It was the first time a U.S. president had done so despite opposition from the state’s governor since President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, when he deployed the National Guard to protect civil rights protestors – a vividly different mission.
On No Kings Day, millions participated in over 2,000 demonstrations in the largest display of collective resistance since Trump’s inauguration. Dozens of rallies took place here in New Jersey with thousands of people showing up in support of democracy.
“We the people will not let our democracy wither,” said ACLU-NJ Director of Appellate Advocacy Ezra Rosenberg, who delivered remarks at No Kings Princeton. “We the people can, must, and will, hold the line. And that line is the rule of law.”
President Trump’s sweeping executive actions have attacked free speech, violated due process, escalated an extreme mass detention and deportation agenda, and targeted those he perceives as enemies. All while waging a shameful intimidation campaign in an attempt to silence opposition through fear.
“We are the defenders of our rights,” said ACLU-NJ Director of the Clemency Project and Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Uwakwe, who delivered remarks at No Kings Newark. “The threat to democracy and civil liberties is not new, so we know exactly what to do.”
As long as this administration continues to unlawfully target anyone who is unwilling to do its bidding, the ACLU-NJ will keep showing up to defend our neighbors, our rights, and our democracy.
We the people could not be clearer: our country has no place for kings.
