Byline: Protests sprang up across the nation in response to President Trump’s multimillion dollar army parade
By: Markus Bontempo, Graphic Designer
On June 14th, 2025, Rock Hill residents and citizens from around the country protested against President Donald Trump’s military parade during “No King’s Day” – one of the largest protests in U.S. history.
The military parade was held in Washington, D.C. in honor of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. However, many speculate that the purpose of this parade was a celebration of Trump’s 79th birthday – which occurred on the same day.
The parade lasted 90 minutes and cost an estimated $25 million to $45 million – with some analysts suggesting the cost to be much higher.
The parade received sharp bipartisan criticism due to its cost and faced outrage from the public due to cuts to medicare and other public services, mass layoffs of federal employees, and other measures executed by the president to cut government spending.
The parade was the first of its kind since 1991, which was held by former President George H.W. Bush to celebrate the end of the Gulf War. The president’s motives were scrutinized due to the fact that he had planned a similar martial parade during his first term. According to Trump, the planned 2018 Veteran’s Day parade was cancelled due to its 92 million dollar price tag.
Protestors against the parade began referring to June 14th as “No Kings Day”, comparing the president’s misappropriation of funds to that of a king. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut stated, “It is Donald Trump who is the focus of his own attention, and the Army birthday just happened to be a convenient excuse.”
The Trump administration claims that the parade amassed 250,00 attendees, but according to The Independent, at least 4 million protesters took the streets in response to the event.
The protests also reached the town of Rock Hill, where hundreds of people gathered along Dave Lyle Boulevard to protest the current administration. Members of all walks of the community gathered to voice their discontent with the president, including dozens of veterans and former republicans.
One anonymous protestor voiced their dismay with the administration, stating they can barely stay afloat in the current economy despite having two pensions. Another protestor opened up about voting for Donald Trump in 2016, believing that his unconventional approach to politics would bring about positive change to the country. Despite being a longtime republican, he expressed that the president has lost sight of the American people since first taking office in 2016.
The protest was organized by York County Rising, a group of local activists and event organizers – who organize protests every other Saturday from 2–4 p.m. on Dave Lyle Boulevard between East Main Street and East White Street. The “No Kings” protest in Charlotte was organized by the Charlotte chapter of Indivisible, a progressive grassroots movement that organizes protests and events nationwide. Indivisible also holds weekly protests in front of representative Ralph Norman’s office every Monday.
Photo By: Markus Bontempo
Photo By: Markus Bontempo
Photo By: Markus Bontempo
Photo By: Markus Bontempo
Photo By: Markus Bontempo
Courtesy of the Whitehoue
Courtesy of the Whitehouse