‘No Kings' march begins in Boston, alongside thousands participating in Pride parade
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Franklin Soults, regional communications manager for 32BJ SEIU, which represents building service workers, called the rally a stand against 'an administration for the billionaire class — and only the billionaire class, and generally the white, heterosexual billionaire class.'
'Oppressed people everywhere… need to join together,' said Soults, who spoke on behalf of the union's Lavender Caucus, which represents LGBTQ+ members of SEIU and advocates for their rights within the labor movement. 'We're a majority-immigrant union. Our members are directly affected by ICE. We've been training them to know their rights.'
Soults also highlighted recent enforcement actions.
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'There have been instances of SEIU members detained,' he said referring to arrests during ICE protests in Los Angeles this week, including the detention of California labor leader David Huerta. 'The SEIU president in California was assaulted by ICE … he was taken into custody for three days.'
Donna Sarti, 68, came from Framingham carrying a sign that read 'Crowns are for teeth' and 'King-free since 1776.'
'How could I not come out here today?' she said. 'I wish I was able to clone myself, because there were marches in so many places.'
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Looking around the crowd, Sarti said her motivation to attend the protest came from close to home. 'I am just appalled at what I see people going through — especially my wonderful immigrant neighbors who are so afraid to even leave the house,' Sarti said.
More than 1,800 'No Kings' protests are planned nationwide as part of a National Day of Action organized by 50501 (short for '50 protests, 50 states, one movement') and the Indivisible coalition, along with the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Black Voters Matter, and other groups.
In Massachusetts, nearly 100 'No Kings' demonstrations are scheduled in cities and towns from the Berkshires to Nantucket, and from the North Shore to the South Coast.
In Brockton, at least 80 people gathered for a 'No Kings' rally in a parking lot near Belmont Street. Despite the rain, participants carried signs opposing Trump's military parade while passing cars honked in support or screamed at participants in disapproval.
Boston's 'No Kings but Yaaas Queen!' is organized by Mass 50501, Indivisible Massachusetts, and others groups.
The protests span all 50 states and were originally planned in response to a military parade scheduled for Saturday evening in Washington, D.C., which will mark the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. The parade, which is taking place on President Trump's birthday, is expected to feature tanks, military flyovers, and National Guard troops, with a reported cost of up to $45 million. Organizers say momentum for the protests accelerated after federalized National Guard troops and Marines were deployed to Los Angeles in response to protests over ICE raids and deportations in the city.
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Globe correspondent Jade Lozada contributed to this report. Material from the Associated Press was also used. This is a developing story.
Nathan Metcalf can be reached at
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