Even the weather was riled up during Saturday’s “No Kings” march in Manhattan. Yet the steady drizzle couldn’t stop tens of thousands of New Yorkers from processing 15 blocks—from Bryant Park down to Madison Square Park—to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The date, June 14, was significant for many reasons: It was Flag Day, the 250th birthday of the United States Army, and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
“It’s a rush of positivity to see our brothers and sisters of all colors and creeds stand shoulder-to-shoulder in unity against hate,” fashion designer Willy Chavaria told me on his way to the march, just one of some 2,000 protests organized across the country. “We are a people of empathy and compassion. Let the world see us.”
Though the rain forced attendees to dress fairly practically (in rain jackets, hiking boots, and the like), this being New York, the more creatively inclined still embraced the moment. One man in costume as the Super Mario Bros. character Luigi carried a sign reading “Billionaires Beware…,” while another protester came in Marie Antoinette-meets-President Trump drag. (Asked about the inspiration for their look, the latter simply said, “Well…” as they gestured up and down.)
Elsewhere, cult-favorite Labubu dolls were out in full force, hitching a ride on backpacks and bags; as were a few (human) famous faces: Gracie Abrams shared a “Know Your Rights” slide to her Instagram Stories before showing up to support, and a friend told me that they walked side-by-sode with actor Richard Kind.
While the pace was slow, the energy was focused. Around me, the crowd kept the chants up (“This is what democracy looks like!” and “No king, no!”—accompanied by a marching brass band—were favorites). And while there were quippy posters reminiscent of those at the 2017 Women’s March, the stakes of this particular political moment felt especially clear. With protests against ICE deportations entering their second week in Los Angeles—where the White House has controversially mobilized Marines and the National Guard to enforce civil order—marchers in Manhattan knew exactly who they were fighting for: people like Dylan, a 20-year-old New York City public school student from Venezuela who was arrested by plainclothes ICE officers three days ago, just moments after a Manhattan judge dismissed his deportation case.
