The Houston area is poised for a series of "No Kings" protests this Saturday, deliberately timed to coincide with President Donald Trump's military-themed parade and birthday celebration in Washington, D.C These demonstrations, organized by the 50501 Movement and various local groups, aim to express widespread opposition to the Trump administration's policies, emphasizing a rejection of what organizers describe as authoritarian tendencies.
The people of Houston will join a countrywide "No Kings" rally on Saturday, June 14, to challenge President Donald Trump and his administration. These protests coincide with Trump's military-themed parade in Washington, D.C., which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and his 79th birthday.
Speakers at Houston's flagship protest at City Hall from 10 a.m. to noon will include U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston), state Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons (D-Houston), and representatives from the local NAACP chapter, Houston Federation of Teachers, and other allied groups.
In addition to political remarks, Houston organizers are holding a food and supplies drive. Food Not Bombs, the Houston Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and other local food pantries ask visitors to bring nonperishable food, socks, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene supplies to benefit needy communities.
Houston law enforcement agencies have stated that they are aware of the planned protests and are working with organizers to ensure calm. Houston Mayor John Whitmire also denied U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Houston)'s concerns that the protests would turn violent, reaffirming the city's support for peaceful assembly.
The grassroots 50501 Movement initiated the "No Kings" movement on Reddit in late January 2025, and it immediately gained traction. Over 680 protests, including those in Galveston and Houston, took place during the last statewide protest in April.
The "No Kings" mobilization is a protest to President Trump's "self-aggrandizing $100 million military parade and birthday celebration," which they say wastes taxpayer cash and slashes essential social services. "The president is not a king," Houston organizers said, rejecting dictatorship and demonstrating the value of democracy.
On Saturday, multiple Houston-area protests will take place in addition to the City Hall rally. We Will not Comply of Conroe and The Greater Woodlands Indivisible will hold events in League City (noon-1:30 p.m., 555 W. Walker St.), Sugar Land (noon-2 p.m., Sugar Land Town Square, 15958 City Walk), Katy (noon-1 p.m., 901 Avenue C), Kingwood (9:30 a.m.-noon, West Lake Houston Parkway & Kingwood Drive), and Brenham (11-2).
Many Texas cities, including San Antonio, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Lubbock, and Amarillo, will host over 100 "No Kings" protests.
Governor Greg Abbott ordered thousands of Texas National Guard troops to stand by in case of violence during the statewide protests, despite organizers' pledge to nonviolence and community safety.
