First the frame, from WESA:
With President Donald Trump poised to preside over a massive military parade this weekend, activists in Pittsburgh and around the country took to the streets themselves in a nationwide protest billed as "No Kings Day." Some 1,800 demonstrations are slated to take place nationwide, several in southwestern Pennsylvania alone, in an effort to oppose the authoritarian impulse organizers say the military display — and Trump’s own polices — represents.
Many of those demonstrators came with American flags, dozens of which were visible as a protest outside Pittsburgh's City-County Building got underway around lunchtime. Also in evidence were signs with a wide range of messages. They included such mottos as "Hate Will Not Make Us Great," "Poverty is a Policy Choice," and — in a message with a distinctly Pittsburgh accent — "No Crahn For A Clahn."
Take a look:
I was at the demonstration at The City County Building:
Huge crowd - I was dressed for a light rain but when the sun broke through the clouds, the air was hot and sticky and I had to tie the arms of my light rain raincoat in a knot and wear it like a sash.
Anyway, when the demonstration at that end of Grant Street was done, we marched to the other end:
There was lots of demonstration chanting going on during the march:
- Show me what democracy looks like! THIS is what democracy looks like!
- Hey, hey! Ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!
- Trump's a jagoff!
- Fuck John Fetterman!
Someone really should let Fetterman's office know that hundreds of people chanted that last one during the Anti-Trump march on Grant Street. I first heard it after the section of the march I was in passed by a guy holding up a "Where's Fetterman?" sign.
Where was Senator John Fetterman, anyway?
I don't know but wherever he was, by virtue of this tweet he completely missed (or was actively avoiding) the point of the "No Kings" demonstrations:
This parade is comprised of our sons, daughters, mothers and fathers—the very best of us.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) June 14, 2025
Regardless of your politics, it’s appropriate to celebrate the 250 years of sacrifice, dedication and service. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/YghyZkK2JS
Yes, it's appropriate to celebrate those things - no one is saying otherwise. But Senator, do you really think that was what was going on during the thousands of demonstrations across the country yesterday?
If you do, you missed the point, if you don't, you're avoiding the reason for all that First Amendment exercising. Which is it?
Where is your "no kings" tweet?
And Senator, did you know you were booed in Philadelphia yesterday?
From Mediaite (with video from C-Span):
“Now, this is not a rally for one party,” Leah Greenberg, the cofounder of the progressive nonprofit Indivisible told the “No Kings” crowd. “We’ve got Democrats here today. We’ve got Republicans and independents here today. We are looking to the leaders who will fight for us because even today, there are folks among the Democratic Party who think we should roll over and play dead. Anyone seen John Fetterman here today?”
The mere mention of the senator’s name elicited a loud round of boos.
That can't be good.
