'No Kings Day' protest in Philadelphia: Thousands pack Benjamin Franklin Parkway

PHILADELPHIA - ‘No Kings Day' protests were held Saturday across the nation, with the ‘flagship’ protest taking place in Philadelphia.

What we know:

The "No Kings" protest in Philadelphia started 12 p.m. Saturday at Love Park then marched to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Event organizers for the Philadelphia "No Kings" protest anticipated up to 60,000 attendees.

Thousands of attendees took to the streets of Philly with signs and posters in tow. 

Speeches

Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King, both marched in the No Kings Day protest in Philadelphia. 

Martin Luther King III delivered a speech at the event.

Arndrea Waters King also delivered a speech at the No Kings Day protest in Philly.

Law enforcement presence

Philadelphia police released a statement earlier this week saying their priority is to ‘facilitate a peaceful protest' and 'prevent violence and disorder.’

"As with all demonstrations, our priority is to facilitate peaceful protest, prevent violence or disorder, and protect the rights of all residents, businesses, and participants. we train our officers accordingly and deploy resources proportionate to the potential needs of the event," their statement read. 

During a news conference at Salt and Light Church in Kingsessing Thursday, District Attorney Larry Krasner said he discussed the protest face-to-face with PPD Commissioner Kevin Bethel on Wednesday.

"We will carefully hold accountable anyone and everyone, whether they are uniformed ice agents or they are opportunistic criminals, who would tuck in behind lawful protest in order to loot. We will hold all of them properly accountable," said Krasner.

ICE is prepared to deploy Special Response Teams (SRTs) to five cities run by Democratic leaders ahead of anticipated protest activity this weekend, FOX previously confirmed. 

Reports say the teams will deploy in Northern Virginia, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Seattle. 

What they're saying:

"We have to defend our first amendment rights, our constitutional rights. We have to protect all those vulnerable people that are being rounded up by ICE illegally, hardworking people. We have to protect our seniors, keep our Social Security together. Keep our Medicaid and Medicare," Bruce Roseman, of Fox Chase, explained why he was attending.

FOX 29’s Steve Keeley asked 84-year-old retired U.S. Navy Ralph Smith, "How important was it to come here today?"

"Very important. You gotta read about ‘em and what they did in all these wars," Smith replied.

"Are veterans appreciated enough by the administration?" Keeley followed up.

"No, not at all. I don't think so. They've cut some of their benefits have they not?" Smith responded.

"All of these military people have fought for 250 years. We’re celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Army today, but I believe that's being hijacked  by the president of the United States," Stephen Pierce, of Philadelphia, said.

"We felt like Philadelphia was the place where the Continental Congress was so I felt this was a great city for us to come to today," Ann White, a Connecticut resident, stated.

Keeley asked Garth Rodgers, another Connecticut resident, "Why was it so important to travel from Connecticut to Philly today?"

Rodgers answered, "Cause we have to have double the numbers of the president’s parade. The wealthy are at war with America right now."

Keeley then asked White, "What point do you hope to get across today by just being part of this?"

"I just want to be part of the numbers," she replied. "Part of the crowd and be with like-minded people."

Keeley went on to ask Delaware resident Mary Copelli, "There’s a lot of folks who are older here. Why do you think there are so many seniors here?"

She replied, Because of what we have to lose. I can tell you why we're here and it has nothing to do with us. We have two daughters, four granddaughters and we are quite scared of what might happen to them."

And, Keeley turned to Jack Copelli and surmised, "There is a lot more young folks here."

Copelli responded, "And, we noticed that on the train coming here. I guess cause it’s impacting the college now that the younger people are getting involved."

Philly road closures

Crowds were expected to gather at Love Park,16th Street between John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Cherry Street, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 16th Street and 17th Street, and Arch Street between 15th Street and 16th Street, before marching on the Benjamin Parkway to the rally location.

City officials say the expected crowd size has prompted several road closures to ensure public safety.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area during the event.

Police shut down JFK Blvd. and directed traffic on North Broad Street due to the large number of demonstrators.

SEPTA bus routes in the Philadelphia Museum of Art area will be detoured beginning at 3 a.m. Saturday.

SEPTA bus routes through the Center City area will be detoured from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

You can check specific route changes on SEPTA's website.

Washington, D.C.

In addition to protests, many people arrived in Washington, DC. Saturday due to a large-scale military parade to mark the Army's 250th anniversary. It is also President Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day. 

"It’s going to be an amazing day," Trump said to reporters Tuesday. "We’ll have tanks, we’ll have planes, we’ll have all sorts of things. I think it’s going to be great."

Trump warned that any demonstrations during the parade would be met with force.

"If there’s any protesters that want to come out," he said, "they’re going to be met with very big force."

What they're saying:

Reynoso is an activist with Our Revolution, a progressive political organizing group. She has been getting the word out about the mass protests across the country and will volunteer during the Philadelphia rally.

"There is a lot of us who are very upset with what’s going on," said Jessica Reynoso. "There are a lot of us who want to push back and show that we’re upset with the way the administration has been conducting, especially with what’s been happening in Los Angeles, the excessive force, and the National Guard that is being used against the citizens."

PhiladelphiaImmigrationPolitics