PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As many as 100,000 demonstrators made their way through Center City Saturday to take part in the nationwide “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration.
The march began at LOVE Park around noon. There, people packed the plaza singing, chanting and holding signs — many of which mocked President Donald Trump's birthday and the Army’s 250th anniversary.
“Yeah, so my sign says ‘Authoritarianism is bad.’ I wanted to have a message that was pretty undeniable,” said Matt Hoover, from South Philly.
“I used to be a history teacher, so I’m passionate about checks and balances in the system,” he said. “Separation of powers between branches and federalism and all that stuff that the president does sort of flies in the face of all of that American tradition.”
A Navy veteran who asked not to be named said he came out, mainly because of Constitutional rights.
“The Constitution is not that long of a document. It says all persons shall have due process. Not citizens, it says all persons. That document needs to be followed.”
He says he is disgusted with Trump’s military parade happening in Washington, D.C.
“It’s an abomination. We don’t do that. The last time we did that was ‘cause we won the Gulf War. What are we celebrating today? An old, bad, draft-dodger’s birthday.”
Wearing a colonial uniform, Bruce Roseman from Fox Chase said it’s important for him to see people exercising their right to free speech.
“I’m not afraid to be here, and for those people who are afraid, don’t be. This is our fundamental First Amendment right to be out here,” he said. “It’s important that the birthplace of America lead the call to follow the Constitution and not a king.”
By 1 p.m., protesters made their way down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Eakins Oval for a rally and speeches.
Counterprotestor Jimmy from South Philly set up on the side of the Parkway.
“My sign says ‘Trump is King.’ That’s ridiculous, but the ‘No Kings’ thing is ridiculous too because there are no kings, so I’m as ridiculous as them,” he said.
The protest remained peaceful, though police were on the scene in case anything did happen.
“There’s always gonna be a troublemaker here and there, but if that happens, stay calm, walk away, and do what’s right,” Roseman said.
One man wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat reportedly chipped golf balls at protesters as they marched by Logan Square. Protesters took the golf balls, and the man ran away.
During a protest earlier this week on Market Street, police arrested and cited 15 people, and they are still looking to identify a man who threw a traffic cone at a cop.