Protests are set to return to the Tampa Bay region Saturday, part of a nationwide effort to push back against President Donald Trump’s latest domestic policies.
This is the second round of “No Kings” protest events this year. The last protests were on June 14, the same day Trump held a military parade on his birthday. Organizers estimated about 5 million people attended those demonstrations nationwide.
Saturday’s events are intended to again affirm “America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people,” according to the“No Kings” website.
The protests are a public rebuke of Trump’s latest executive power flexes, organizers said, including: deploying National Guard troops to several cities, continuing to deport thousands of those in the country illegally, clawing back congressional spending and cutting Medicaid benefits.
There are protests planned Saturdayin more than 50 cities across Florida, according to the “No Kings” website, including in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Gulfport, Largo and Sarasota. They include:
Tampa: Tampa City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd., 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
St. Petersburg: Tyrone Square, 6901 22nd Ave. N, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Clearwater: Duke Energy Trail Overpass, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
Largo: Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Brandon/Riverview: Providence Road and Bloomingdale Avenue, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Gulfport: Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. S, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Zephyrhills: Alice Hall Community Center, 38116 5th Ave., 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Trinity: Chili’s, 3240 Little Road, 12 p.m.-2 p.m.
Sarasota: Payne Park, 2010 Adams Lane, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Florida’s events correspond with others nationwide, with hundreds of rallies happening in every state. The protests are organized by a broad coalition of groups, including the Sierra Club, American Civil Liberties Union, League of Women Voters and 50501, which organizes anti-Trump demonstrations nationwide.
Protest organizers emphasize that attendees are expected to remain peaceful and should de-escalate any confrontations.