Protestors line I-495 overpass with No Kings and other resistance messaging
Protests against Trump administration actions, expanding in number and participants, spread across the country, including throughout northern Virginia on Saturday, June 14. Local demonstrators brought their pro-democracy messages with signs and flags to multiple area overpasses and thoroughfares to join millions around the nation on “No Kings Day.”
Following a quiet non-vehicular roadway near parkland normally frequented only by bikers and runners, led
Dressed for protest, Dianne Tenny, of Fairfax, “Especially with Democrats shot, and the extreme escalation in LA, people need to be held accountable, and people need to take action before it gets worse.”
those who had heard where to look, from social media or word of mouth, to a scene electric with activity. Turning a corner took one from parkland quiet to sounding horns, and shoulder to shoulder protestors standing high above I-495 in Annandale, holding signs, waving American flags, and talking together loudly over traffic noise below. On exhibit, a strong sense of their resistance camaraderie, even as their signs called out many different messages. Drivers on the roadway below answered back in support with horn after horn of encouragement; sounds from sedan sopranos to the heavy blare of big rigs.
The traditionally designated holiday, Flag Day, drew demonstrators from dozens of local grassroots groups here in Virginia, and in hundreds of cities in every State, as counterpoint to the military parade held in Washington DC the same day. Part of Indivisible’s strategy, nationally, is reclaiming use of the American flag in their messaging. One of the largest June 14 protest events was held in Philadelphia; birthplace of the US Constitution and the US flag. Leaders of the pro-democracy movement sought to draw attention to their large Philadelphia event and away from the military parade in Washington commemorating the US Army’s 250th anniversary, which also fell on the president’s 79th birthday. Indivisible, described their effort: “‘No Kings’ is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies.”
Fairfax Indivisible’s lead and local event organizer, Marianna Burke, called the event here a success. She said, “One indicator is the number of minutes network media spent on this versus the D.C. military parade; much increased from past event coverage.” She refers to prior protests “Hands Off” on April 5, and “May Day” on May 1, which she said helped Indivisible’s national organization leaders to grow their resistance movement as numbers participating increased each time. Burke says the June 14 effort, “has shown we won’t take it. A lot of people not paying attention or not willing to get out before, now are ready to get out.”
“We also celebrate the Army anniversary. Lots of veterans came out with supportive messaging. … What we don’t support is autocratic governance, consolidating power and crushing resistance.”
— Marianne Burke, Fairfax Indivisible lead
When asked about the decision to stage a nation-wide protest on the US Army’s 250th anniversary, Burke noted the participation of many veterans. “We were clear we also celebrate the Army anniversary. We had large signs ‘Go Army’ and tons of flags. Lots of our veterans came out with supportive messaging on their shirts. What we don’t support is autocratic governance, consolidating power and crushing resistance.”
Leading up to the planned demonstrations, national and local supporters of No Kings Day stressed the peaceful intention of their protest. Organizers described a sharp increase in those registering for local visibility events immediately following the administration’s decision to send National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles in support of ICE raids. Information to participants included no engagement and de-escalation strategies. Local Indivisible leaders report counting six middle fingers raised by passing drivers at one demonstration location, but were aware of no other local counter protests, violence or arrests.
Fairfax County police plans for proactive, protective presence at protest events were noted and appreciated according to event leaders. State and county police and officials added plans for enhanced police presence at the homes and neighborhoods of legislators and other elected officials following the shooting of Minnesotans, Representative Melissa Hortman, her husband, and Senator John Hoffman and his wife, in their homes in the early morning hours of June 14.
Elected in 2023, Virginia Del. Laura Jane Cohen (D-15th), is in her first term and running for re-election for her seat in 2026. She shared that she and other legislators received frequent communications from House Speaker Don Scott; head of the Virginia State Police Colonel Matthew Hanley; and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Scott Surovell, on June 14th morning following the attacks on Minnesota legislators. She shared that County police advised not to answer the door to police unless two officers were present, along with other safety pointers, prompted by investigation into the Minnesota event. A communication from Virginia Gov. Glen Youngkin advised legislators to “stay home from protests.”
Cohen and other legislators did attend local protest events without incident. Cohen said, “The irony or juxtaposition, that we have, on Flag Day, a President that makes protestors the enemy, and there are consequences to that when you make us the enemy, with the Fascist regime he seems to want to create; — a sad day.”
Fairfax Indivisible is a political action group created in 2017, affiliated with the national Indivisible organization which engages in legislative advocacy, calls for political action, volunteers in support of progressive candidates regardless of party affiliation and assists with election information and monitoring.
The Flag Day holiday commemorates the 1777 adoption of the United States flag. The US Army celebrates the 250th anniversary of its creation on June 14, 1775.