Tanks will roll through the streets of Washington DC on Saturday in a $45 million display of America’s military might – which has absolutely nothing to do with Donald Trump’s birthday. Nothing at all.
Tanks will roll through the streets of Washington DC on Saturday in a $45 million display of America’s military might – which has absolutely nothing to do with Donald Trump’s birthday.
Nothing at all.
Attendees will be treated to the sight of a huge column of tanks and other military vehicles – both classic and contemporary – some might say intimidatingly rolling down Constitution Avenue.
The parade will pass between the Washington Monument and the White House, from where the birthday boy will get a good long look at all his toys.
So what’s it all about? What will happen at the parade – and will there be any protests?
Here’s everything you need to know.
What’s happening in Washington DC this weekend?
Saturday is Flag Day in the United States – and this year marks the 250th anniversary of the US Army.
A fun fact that Donald Trump likes to roll out from time to time is that the United States Army is one year older than the United States. Next year, the Trump administration is planning a huge wave of celebrations to mark the country’s birthday. But we digress.
By blessed coincidence, Saturday also marks the 79th anniversary of the birth of Donald John Trump. So it seemed like a good time for him to ram through plans he’s been trying to get off the ground since he saw the Bastille Day parade in Paris during his first administration.
The Army’s already-planned festival taking place on the National Mall is set to include “interactive displays, including robots and night vision goggles” and “free give-aways”. Attendees I’ll be able to meet “Army soldiers, NFL players, influencers and celebrities”.
Then, at 6.30pm, there will be a huge parade of military equipment along Constitutional Avenue North West, with the route taking it right between the Washington Monument and the White House.
Later, Trump will give a speech on the Ellipse, the patch of parkland in front of the White House. Another fun fact, last time Trump gave a speech there, there was a violent attempted coup.
Oh yeah, and singer Lee Greenwood will be singing his patriotic soft rock hit “God Bless The USA” live and in person.
What will the parade be like?
The main parade will include 6,000 Army soldiers as well as tanks, helicopters, mobile guns and a parachute display.
Abrams and Paladin tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Stryker and Infantry Squad Vehicles will roll through the streets – with organisers laying plates of steel on the tarmac in the hope it might prevent damage from the hefty hardware.
Meanwhile, Apaches, Chinooks and Black Hawk helicopters will fly overhead.
Will there be protests?
Yes, but not where you might think.
Hundreds – possibly thousands – of individual protests are scheduled to take place across the United States this weekend, all under the banner of “No Kings Day”.
The organisers say the protesters are a direct response to Trump’s birthday parade.
“No Kings” grew out of the “50501” movement – a previous day of protests whose name stood for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,” the group said on its website.
“They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.”
They add: “The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t – to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”
Where will protests be taking place on Saturday?
The biggest protest is scheduled for Philadelphia, from 12pm – when protesters will march from Love Park to the Art Museum steps.
But at least hundreds more protests are listed to take place at the same time in more cities and towns across the United States.
Where won’t there be a protest?
Washington DC. And probably for good reason.
Last week Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he would take a very dim view of any disruption of his parade.
“We’re going to celebrate big on Saturday,” he said.
“If any protesters want to come out, they will be met with very big force.”
It’s been pointed out that he didn’t say anything about the “big force” being reserved for violent protesters.
“People that want to protest will be met with big force,” he said – acknowledging he’d not heard of any plans for a protest in DC.
“But this is people that hate our country. They will be met with heavy force.”
