Another round of anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protests will unfold across several South Florida cities this Saturday, among thousands across the country during heightened political unrest and a government shutdown.
The protests, scheduled from Miami to West Palm Beach, will coincide with Trump’s return to his Mar-a-Lago residence this weekend for a fundraiser. Previous peaceful protests have drawn thousands to cities across South Florida. Residents can expect some traffic, though organizers say that there will be minimal disruption as the protests will take place along sidewalks as well as at local government buildings and parks.
In June, ‘No Kings’ protests drew thousands across South Florida, including in West Palm Beach, where protesters marched to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. At the time, major issues included Trump’s immigration crackdown, cuts to social services and concerns about what many saw as the Trump administration’s undermining of democracy. This time, South Florida organizers say that top-of-mind issues include healthcare and the federal government shutdown and the deployment of ICE and the National Guard to multiple Democrat-led U.S. cities. Organizers are anticipating similar numbers, with more locations scheduled than in June.
The protests also come during a time of heightened political violence, including the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at a college campus event in September. Organizers have taken extra security precautions for this weekend, including coordinating heavily with police and not disclosing certain locations ahead of time, according to Jennifer Jones, the leader of the Broward chapter of Hope and Action Indivisible, which is organizing the Hollywood protest.
Some prominent Republicans have criticized the protests in advance. House Speaker Mike Johnson described the event scheduled for the National Mall in Washington DC as a “Hate America rally.” Protest organizers disagreed.
“It’s just us really exercising our First Amendment right to dissent, to show that we’re not OK with this power grab and with this continuation of Donald Trump trying to be a dictator,” Jones said.
Here’s are some of the planned events in South Florida:
Broward County
Hollywood: Protesters will gather at Young Circle from 10 a.m. to noon. From 11:30 a.m. to noon, protesters will march to and from a location that organizers are not disclosing for security purposes.
Coral Springs: Protesters will gather at North University Drive and West Sample Road from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Fort Lauderdale: Protesters will gather at what is known as “Freedom Corner” in the 3200 block of North Federal Highway from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and at the intersection of Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway (State Road A1A) and Sunrise Boulevard from noon to 5 p.m.
Palm Beach County
West Palm Beach: Protesters will gather at the Target at 1760 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Boca Raton: Protesters will gather at Boca Raton City Hall in the 200 block of West Palmetto Park Road from 10 a.m. to noon. A “car protest” is also scheduled at West Palmetto Park Road and Northwest Second Avenue from 10 a.m. to noon.
Lake Worth Beach: Protesters will gather at Lake Worth Beach City Hall from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Miami-Dade and Monroe counties
Miami: Protesters will gather at 10 a.m. on the 300 block of Biscayne Boulevard as well as the 7900 block of Southwest 40th Street.
Key Largo: Protesters will gather at 10 a.m. on the 102050 block of Overseas Highway.
Marathon: Protesters will gather at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Overseas Highway and Sombrero Beach Road.