Refuse Fascism Stands Firm Against Protesting Trump Parade
June 14th, 2025 by Eleanor
Refuse Fascism organized a protest walk from Logan Circle to the barricades surrounding the White House on Saturday afternoon. Many organizers throughout the country openly stated that all protests should take place outside of D.C. The No Kings group called for all people located in the DC area to organize outside of the city, specifically away from downtown. Many people had differing feelings about this call to action. For example, some locals felt that leaving the city would prevent violence from erupting as the Donald Trump Birthday Parade (masquerading as the 250th anniversary of the US Army’s celebration)was taking place later that day. Some people did not want to be mistaken for being present for the pro-Trump festivities, fearing edited photos would be generated from unbiased media outlets, thus giving the illusion of a large supportive presence for the Trump regime. And others felt that to have no protest in DC would be seen as a cowardly backing down from Donald Trump and his goons. The latter were acting with conviction, with deliberate defiance of Trump’s threats to meet protestors with “heavy force.”
Due to the large amount of people and organizers over social media calling for action outside of DC, what should have been a million people, ended up being a couple thousand people taking to the downtown streets on June 14th . The crowd gathered at Logan Circle and kicked off with four speakers. The first Ralph, a 20 year veteran and 15 year federal service worker. His speech echoed much of what was included in the call to action flyer released by Refuse Fascism. Stating, “I spent 20 years protecting this country and the constitution. I loved my country, even with its flaws. I am embarrassed how our allies are being treated with so much disrespect. I have witnessed a fascist regime destroy it all for personal wealth…
The next Jim Keady. He stated “20 years ago this month I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. I was 33 years old and had just won my campaign to serve on the city council of Asbury Park, New Jersey.” He went on to recite the exact oath made during this defining moment, closing with the fact that although he no longer holds office, the oath still remains a focal point of his personal and political ideology, and a cornerstone of his humanity.
The third Sophia Zoey Kilmer, who made an extremely passionate speech on the increasing danger to transgender people and the entire LGBTQ+ community. She spoke honestly about the fact that this is something that has been seen before. These tactics of erasure and brutality are not by accident. They are a rejection of science, education, and humanity.
Lastly, Sunsara Taylor, a pivotal figure in the movement stated, “Trump’s 39th birthday military parade is not a mere trip. It is a leap toward forging an army loyal not to the rule of law, but to Trump personally, with all the racism, misogyny, and MAGA 'America First' fascism that this involves. It must be opposed. In the name of humanity, Trump must go NOW.” The phrase “Trump Must Go Now” was chanted throughout the protest and featured on a variety of signs and flags. As the march disbanded later in from of the White House fences in Layfaette Park, the message was a clear, definitive call to action, “Trump must go. NOW.”
