Protesters in Washington DC have compared President Donald Trump’s military parade to those held in Nazi Germany.
The parade, marking
the 250th anniversary of the US Army
and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, has sparked a nationwide backlash, with many cities hosting “No Kings” rallies in opposition to what they deem a squandering of taxpayer money.
The Army anticipates up to
200,000 attendees for the festival and parade,
which will showcase fitness challenges, live demonstrations, equipment exhibitions, musical performances, and a cake-cutting event,
despite a huge seat-selling scam causing chaos.
While some are heading to
Washington DC
to join the celebrations, others are converging to voice their dissent. It comes after
Trump made an awkward blunder while hoping the rain would bring the parade luck.
READ MORE:
Melania Trump ‘says what we’re all thinking’ in awkward red carpet display with Donald
READ MORE:
Donald Trump’s granddaughter Kai shares awkward birthday post featuring Elon Musk
Sam Goldman, 38, a national organizer with RefuseFascism.org, told the Irish Star she has traveled from
Philadelphia
,
Pennsylvania
, to protest what she calls a “fascist” spectacle.
“I’m here today to say no to Trump’s fascist military parade, no to the notion of a military marching through the streets,” Goldman said.
With the nation’s focus on Washington DC, she emphasized that the protesters aim to unite and demonstrate to the world that numerous Americans believe “Trump must go now.”
Goldman believes the event, on Trump’s birthday, feels similar to those held for dictators from the likes of “Hitler and Mussolini to Pinochet.”
Trump has refuted suggestions that the parade doubles as a celebration for his 79th birthday, however.
Fellow demonstrator Don Nygaard, a 73-year-old US veteran, traveled from Minneapolis to Washington DC to show solidarity with anti-Trump protesters.
Both Goldman and Nygaard share the opinion of most Americans that taxpayer dollars should not be spent on the military parade, an event estimated to cost $25-45 million; a recent NBC Decision Desk Poll revealed 64% of Americans oppose using state funds for the event.
“I think it’s a misapplication of our resources,” Nygaard stated, suggesting that funds could instead be allocated towards global health care initiatives through USAID.
Meanwhile, when asked if the parade could be seen as a birthday celebration for him, Trump responded to NBC: “My birthday happens to be on Flag Day. I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday. Somebody put it together. But no, I think we’re going to do something on June 14, maybe, or somewhere around there. But I think June 14. It’s a very important day.”
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage
here
.
