Two big names in American rock were present at the "No Kings" movement demonstrations, which took to the streets of the United States last Saturday, the 14th, against the concentration of power and in favor of democracy. Tom Morello , guitarist of Rage Against the Machine , and Amy Lee , vocalist of Evanescence , were among the artists who protested against the government of Donald Trump in actions spread across several cities in the country.
Protesters reported on social media that Tom Morello was seen in Los Angeles, California, driving past a federal building in a truck playing loud music, with protesters dancing while Marines watched. Images posted on Instagram show the guitarist holding a sign that read in capital letters: “DEPORT RACISTS”.
According to NBC News , the musician also gave a speech atop a garbage truck surrounded by activists from the "First Nations" group. In his speech, Morello called for resistance and highlighted the importance of popular mobilization. "When the billionaires, the oligarchs, and the racists decided they were going to take over this country and start with Los Angeles, they chose the wrong city," he said. "Nobody is going to come and save us. We are going to save ourselves."
A protester posted a video of Tom Morello's speech on their Instagram account, followed by a text recounting the experience of gathering their family to attend the protest: “We danced to Ozomatli . We heard some inspiring words from Tom Morello. I met the wonderful artist Lauren YS. All these wonderful things happened in the middle of the streets of downtown Los Angeles. It was truly beautiful to be surrounded by my people, united to protest against the tyrant [Donald Trump].”
Amy Lee participated in a demonstration in Nashville, Tennessee, alongside her husband, Josh Hartzler . In photos published by the singer herself on her official Instagram account, she appears wearing a t-shirt and holding a sign with the slogan "No Kings". In another photo with her husband, she is seen holding a sign that reads "Justice for all. Stop kidnapping people".
What is the "No Kings" movement?
On its official website , the movement explains that the name "No Kings" reflects the fight against the concentration of power and in favor of democracy. Among the pillars of the campaign are combating the actions of ICE (the US immigration agency), resisting the political use of the Armed Forces, and encouraging the mobilization of the population.
The "Flag Day" demonstrations on June 14th were organized as a direct response to the military parade organized by the US government to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. Coincidentally, this day also marked the 79th birthday of current President Donald Trump.
In total, around 2,000 events were scheduled across all 50 American states, including cities like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles. The central objective of “No Kings” is to denounce what the organizers describe as the Trump administration's authoritarian practices, such as immigration policies considered contrary to human rights and cuts in federal spending on public policy, research, and science.
“They defied our courts, deported Americans, made people disappear from the streets, attacked our civil rights, and cut our services. Corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings,” reads the text published on the movement's official website.
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