Boston "No Kings" protest during Pride parade draw thousands
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Boston's Copley Square on Saturday for the Pride parade while "No Kings" protesters lined the streets to peacefully demonstrate.
"No Kings" at Pride
Around two dozen "No Kings" protests lined the streets across Massachusetts, in locations such as Needham, Hyannis, Woburn, and others.
The Boston "No Kings" protest coincided with the annual Pride parade, which marches from Copley Square to the Boston Common. Protesters were not able to march due to the security of the parade, but they were able to stand on the sidewalks. Boston's event encouraged people to theme their signs around both events.
"I think it shows that a lot of people are willing to stand up against tyranny in this democracy, and I think a lot of people are here for the same reasons and a lot of people are coming together from different walks of life," Julie Wich said.
"Being here makes me feel like I'm a part of all of this, and I'm marching for justice, I'm marching for immigrants, I'm marching for LGBTQ, I'm marching for equal rights," Margaret Evora said.
"I think there's a lot to be said about we're here to support them as well, and I hope they are looking to their TVs and saying that there are still people out there fighting for them," Louis Honnegger explained.
Many people protesting said that one main reason they came out was due to the presence of ICE in Massachusetts.
"What's happening with immigrants now, my heart, my soul is on fire," Evora said.
"It gives me some hope, finally everyone is starting to come together, and I think that's the only way we're gonna do it," Maya Flaherty said.
Supporting LGBTQ+ at Pride
Over 14,000 people registered to participate in the parade, with an estimated one million spectators in attendance this year.
Boston Pride For The People says this year's theme is "Here to Stay" and will send a message that "people who identify as LGBTQIA+ can not be erased, pushed into the shadows, or silenced, in the face of increased political attacks."
"This event and what it represents, our authenticity, our belongingness. The fact that we are here to stay touches me," Boston Pride for the People Parade President Adrianna Boulin said.
"We're here in joyful defiance to hold up our LGBTQ friends and families," one spectator said.
"I support human rights, and I feel like President Trump is not supporting human rights," Phyliss Warren told WBZ-TV.
Governor Maura Healey, Senator Ed Markey, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and Mayor Michelle Wu took part in the parade.
"There is so much happening in the world, and this is Boston's statement that we are home for everyone. We are going to continue to stand strong and be a welcoming community," Mayor Wu said.
"We're standing up for who we are in Boston," Markey said.
A free was held on the Boston Common after the parade, featuring booths, activities, food trucks, and live music.
"No Kings" across the country
The protests, dubbed a "nationwide day of defiance" on the group's , are aimed at President Trump and his policies, coinciding with the military parade scheduled for Saturday in Washington, D.C.
The parade is meant to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It also coincides with Mr. Trump's 79th birthday. Thousands of people are expected to attend the D.C. parade, as tanks and other military vehicles will roll through the streets of Washington, D.C., starting at 6:30 p.m.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke out against the military parade in Washington, D.C., , "Trump's parade will cost taxpayers up to $45 million. For example, with that money, we could expand health care & food assistance for veterans. A taxpayer-paid birthday gift to Trump sounds like government waste to me."
