SEATTLE — State leaders and law enforcement are bracing for a day of protests against President Trump’s immigration actions across Washington on Saturday.
Gov. Bob Ferguson and local leaders held a news conference calling for protesters to remain peaceful. The governor and officials also provided updates on preparations.
At least 80 "No Kings" protests are being promoted across the state.
Just a few of the protests scheduled for Saturday in western Washington include Cal Anderson Park in Seattle, Red Square on the University of Washington (UW) campus. Commencement ceremonies are also being held at UW that day. Others are at People’s Park in Tacoma and the Bainbridge Ferry Terminal.
Some business owners worry about another round of damage like what was seen Wednesday night in Seattle, when a destructive anti-ICE protest shut down parts of downtown Seattle.
They want people to speak out, but not in a destructive way.
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Gov. Ferguson said emergency officials have a plan in case there is violence, including bringing in the National Guard, if necessary, but he’s urging protesters to stay peaceful.
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“Anything that is not peaceful, anything that violates the law or is violent, only does one thing –- it plays into Donald Trump’s hand. That’s what he wants to see,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson says he believes police can handle demonstrations.
“What happened in California, when the president federalized the National Guard, was escalation,” said Ferguson.
A military parade. President Donald Trump's birthday. What could make this weekend more eventful?
On Saturday, protesters across the country will be gathering for the "No Kings" to protest the Trump administration and the Army parade. Protests in nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country, from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, organizers said.
Protesters have called for Trump to be “dethroned” as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president.
No Kings was created by the 50501 movement. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. The group is nationwide and opposes the Trump administration's actions.
“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,” the group says on its website, referring to the Trump administration and its policies. “They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.”
The group organized protests earlier this year against the Department of Government Efficiency and Elon Musk. Protesters compared Trump's actions to those of a king, hence the "No Kings" movement.
Although the protesters are not backed by a specific political party, two high-profile Democrats, Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont and Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, hosted rallies earlier this year titled "Fight Oligarchy."
Read more about the nationwide "No Kings" protests here.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.