Tanks, troops and marching bands descended on the nation’s capital for a massive parade of American military might, staged at the request of President Donald Trump. The show was met by thousands of Americans across the country showing a different kind of power: protest.
Hours before the start of a parade to mark the Army's 250th anniversary, demonstrators took to streets and parks across the country to denounce the Republican president as a dictator or would-be king.
They criticized Trump for using the military in response to protests against his deportation efforts and for sending tanks, thousands of marching troops and warplanes to stage a show in the US capital.
In Washington, D.C., anti-war protesters unfurled signs reading “Houses, Not Drones” near an exhibit of armored vehicles, helicopters and military hardware on the National Mall to mark the U.S. Army's birthday.
Participants were given bowls of red, white and blue punch, as well as pieces of a large army cake, which were cut with a sabre by uniformed officials.
Vendors outside the festival sold merchandise commemorating the military milestone. Others sold Trump-themed merchandise.
Mr Trump has wanted to hold a military parade in Washington, D.C., ever since he watched one in France in 2017 with tanks, soldiers and planes in the sky.
His dream will finally come true on a day that coincides with his 79th birthday and Flag Day, after organisers included a parade in the army holiday programme.
Mr Trump received regular updates on the plans and requested aircraft and equipment to demonstrate the military's might.
The military procession was scheduled to begin at the Lincoln Memorial later Saturday, despite threats of bad weather and protests elsewhere in the city.
Mr Trump dismissed the possibility of either disruption, posting on social media on Saturday morning saying the “great military parade” would go ahead “rain or shine”.
He had previously said that the protests “will be met with very great force.”
Hours before the parade, crowds of protesters carrying anti-Trump signs marched toward the White House, accompanied by police cars and officers on bicycles.
Some held a giant banner that read: “TRUMP MUST GO NOW.”
The parade has been criticised for its $45 million cost and the possibility that the rumbling tanks could destroy city streets.
The US Army took a number of measures to protect the streets, including installing metal plates along the route.
About 6 in 10 Americans said Saturday's parade was a “bad use” of government money.
An overwhelming majority of people, 78 percent, said they neither approved nor disapproved of the parade overall, according to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The event on Saturday is expected to involve about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks, as well as possibly 200,000 participants, with enhanced security measures in place.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
