Anti-Trump protesters hit the streets in Philly; Trump says he's 'not a king'

The No Kings protest in Philadelphia was something of a family affair with some parents describing the event as a teachable moment, while other parents saying it was their progeny who came up with the idea to attend.

Danielle Pisechko, 38, carried her youngest, who wore orange butterfly wings, on her shoulders. They carried a sign that read “the only monarchs we want are butterflies.”

Pisechko said she felt it was important to attend the protest and speak out on behalf of her children's future.

Elected Democrats addressed a receptive crowd of protesters at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, hoping to translate a movement based on opposition to President Donald Trump into one that yields electoral successes.

Democratic U.S. Rep Brendan Boyle got enthusiastic boos from the crowd when he spoke of Trump’s overreaches.

“He called today a 'Hate America' rally,” Boyle said.

The conviction of many demonstrators? Meet the administration’s absurdity with humor.

Eurhi Jones and a group of strangers started a game of “popcorn,” making balls inscribed with “Freedom of the Press” jump from atop parachute.

Jones, 59, said the game was an act of joyful resistance — and a nod to actions in Portland, Oregon.

By 1 p.m. on Saturday, many of the thousands of protesters had arrived at Independence Mall, where they were met with beating drums, video displays, vendors, and a rapidly growing crowd.

Philadelphia Police Department Capt. Frank Palumbo said the rally has been peaceful, and police have had no issues.

“It’s a very large, orderly crowd,” Palumbo said.

In front of City Hall during the No Kings Protest Saturday, Patrick Ladrie stood out in his Trump hat and “ultra MAGA” t-shirt that bore the joke “I love our king.”

The 20-year-old from Camden County crossed the river to “get a good viewpoint of what the American left is,” and grab some videos to show others as well.

An hour into what could be considered enemy lines, Ladrie reported the environment was not so bad.

Jerry Lopresti, 64, had never protested in his entire life. The second Trump term changed that.

Lopresti, his wife, and friends rode the Broad Street Line into Center City Saturday with an assortment of homemade signs that expressed a frustration with the Big Beautiful Bill, rising Affordable Care Act marketplace premiums, and what they saw as a backslide of democracy.

“There has to be a show of numbers, it's important to show up,” said Lopresti, who felt protesting couldn't be left on the shoulders of the younger generations. “Be a number!”

Scores of people gathered at Philadelphia City Hall Saturday ahead of the No Kings protest, quickly creating a festive environment with signs, costumes, clanking cowbells, and speakers blaring through bullhorns. 

The sheer novelty of some of the costumes and signs drew the attention of other protesters, united by their opposition to President Donald Trump. 

“It’s supposed to be a fun protest,” said Sherri King, wearing an inflatable chicken costume that bounced up and down as she walked, drawing in curious onlookers.

Living at a North Philly women’s shelter, Lana Reckeweg doesn’t have many resources to spare. That didn’t stop her from finding cardboard and getting markers to make signs to give to people on her way the No Kings protest on Saturday.

“I just wanted to make sure people who didn’t have the resources to make one could still have a sign to protest,” Reckeweg said.

She said over the past several months a handful of undocumented women have found sanctuary in the same place she calls home, and seeing their struggles made her want to attend the protest on their behalf.

Democratic elected officials and progressive organizers are set to speak at the No Kings protest in Philadelphia.

U.S. Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon, Madeleine Dean, and Brendan Boyle are expected to address the crowd, according to event organizers, along with U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and state Sen. Vincent Hughes of Philadelphia. District Attorney Larry Krasner and City Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke are also scheduled to speak.

Though the approximately 2,000 “No Kings” protests are billed as an opposition to policies and perceived overreaches of the Trump administration, organizers for the local event say they also plan to speak about an issue specific to Pennsylvania — the judicial retention elections in November.

Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to take to the streets Saturday as part of a national "No Kings" rally, but President Donald Trump says their messaging is all wrong.

"They're referring to me as a king. I'm not a king," Trump said during an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo.

Most Republicans on Capitol Hill have avoided using the "No Kings" name, choosing instead to label it a “Hate America Rally.”

Danny Bauder, president of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, is expected to speak at the protest on Saturday.

Bauder, whose council represents more than 100 local unions in the Philadelphia area, called President Donald Trump a “fascist,” on Friday ahead of the protest in an interview with the Inquirer and said “he's brought fascism to America.”

“The only way that authoritarian regimes have been toppled around the world is from people powered mass movements,” said Bauder, noting that the labor community has played a key role in the organizing and strategy of successful mass movements.

City officials said street closures will begin Saturday morning and continue as protesters march from the north side of City Hall down to Independence Mall.

The following streets are expected to close at the assembly area from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, at the discretion of police:

Beginning around 11:30 a.m., Market Street will be closed from Juniper Street to Fifth Street for the march. Market Street will reopen to vehicles around 2:30 p.m.

No Kings is a national day of action and mobilization against the Trump administration. Organizers say the name is derived from Trump and his administration pushing the limits of executive power and undermining the Constitution.

“In America, we don’t do kings,” organizers say on the event’s website, describing the day as a “response to the increasing authoritarian excess and corruption of the Trump administration.”

This is the third No Kings rally, with past events taking place in February and June.