Demonstrations across the United States adopted the rallying cry of "No kings" in protest of the Trump administration on Saturday, including in major cities such as Chicago, Denver and Miami.
As of Saturday afternoon, 50 different protests have been planned in the state of Colorado, fortunately with no unrest occurring.
Protesters said they are gathering to reject the government's abuse of power and irresponsible decisions.
"I think it really bonds people together. We all have some similar, strong feelings for what's going on and what we don't agree with," said a protester in Denver.
"I think recently it's been the deportations and watching families get ripped apart. I think, especially with all the talk about like wasting our tax dollars and now seeing this 45-million-dollar military parade. It feels like we kind of get out here and show how upset we are," another demonstrator said.
The rallies took place on the same day that U.S. President Donald Trump attended military parade in honor of the 250th anniversary of the nation's army. It was also the president's 79th birthday.
Meanwhile, thousands gathered in downtown Miami as part of the demonstrations nationwide.
Organizers and attendees said that in South Florida, immigration has been the driving issue of the protest. The Trump administration's recent cancellation of temporary protected status for some immigrants seeking refuge in the U.S., as well as humanitarian parole for foreign nationals whose need to enter the country for urgent humanitarian reasons, has affected thousands of families in region.
"I'm here because we need to preserve democracy. What we're seeing with this presidency and this administration is a threat to our democracy. We need to also speak up for the people who are too afraid to come out to the streets, and so we're here for them. This city is made of immigrants, and it is just so hurtful to see what's happening to our people from our own people, too, and we need to stand up for them," said protester Kimberly Trocha.
"For me, it's the way that immigrants have been demonized. I, myself, am American-born, so it doesn't affect me personally. But I feel that when we make immigrants the source of all the problems in the United States, we're doing a disservice to people. This country was built by immigrants," said demonstrator Ilse Cardelle.
Thousands of protesters also descended on the same day in downtown Chicago, rejecting what they say is corruption and abuse of power of the Trump administration.
"No Kings Day" anti-Trump protests roll out across US cities
"No Kings Day" anti-Trump protests roll out across US cities
