PHOTOS: ‘No Kings’ rallies against Trump administration held across metro Atlanta
Thousands of residents from across metro Atlanta mobilized on Saturday morning for the “No Kings” rallies against the actions of the Trump administration.
A rally in DeKalb County at the corner of Northcrest and Chamblee Tucker roads ended in tear gas being deployed when protesters tried to block the road and were met by police in riot gear. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that law enforcement fired tear gas and possibly arrested two people.
Rallies in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta, Tucker, and Decatur were just four of thousands happening across the United States and abroad. The protests came amid ongoing raids and arrests by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles and other cities.
The rallies are also happening on the same day that President Donald Trump is holding a military parade in Washington D.C., ostensibly to honor the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, but it also happens to be Trump’s 79th birthday. The parade is expected to cost taxpayers between a reported $25 to $45 million.
At the State Capitol, an estimated 7,500 people packed into Liberty Plaza and the streets outside. There were no reports of violence or arrests, although members of the far right extremist group, Proud Boys, were booed as they marched through the area.
Just outside Tucker, thousands of people lined the streets during the 11:30 rally that started at the Northlake Festival Shopping Center and progressed to the I-285 exit bridge.
The group organizing the rally, Pocketbook Brigade, estimated the crowd at about 5,000.
The crowd held up signs along Lavista near Briarcliff roads and encouraged drivers-by to honk in support of the “No Kings” rally. Many people, especially children, were wearing Burger King crowns, with the word “Burger” replaced with “No.”
Other chanted, “Let’s impeach Donald Trump, we’ve had enough,” and “We believe in liberty, not a monarchy,” while holding signs that said, “No Faux Kings” and “Tuck Frump.”
Rick Fedder, a member of the Pocketbook Brigade, said he had not seen any signs of counter-protesters, although the DeKalb Police would be called if any unrest occurred.
“We’ve talked to the police and they know we are here, and ready if needed,” Fedder said.
Outside The Piedmont at Buckhead senior living center, residents held their own mini-“No Kings” rally on the sidewalk, waving placards with messages about “Save Medicare” and “Stop the Pain.”
Over in Midtown, hundreds of people lined the sidewalks spanning both sides of the 17th Street bridge near Atlantic Station for the 1 p.m. protest rally. Organizers using megaphones repeated chants like “Tell me what democracy looks like,” prompting a collective response from the crowd of “This is what democracy looks like.”
Signs held by protesters on 17th Street ranged from “Protect Trans Kids Lives” and “No Kings Since 1776” to “ATL Resist” and “Ice in sweet tea. No ICE in our communities.” A long banner reading “Trump Must Go Now” hung on the side of the 17th Street bridge facing traffic traveling south on the Connector (I-75/I-85).
People honked their car horns as they passed by protesters on the bridge, who cheered in acknowledgement.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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