AUSTIN (KXAN) More than 70 “No Kings” protests are scheduled across Texas on Saturday as part of nationwide demonstrations against President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C.

The “No Kings” protests are organized to counter Trump’s expanded Army anniversary celebration, which falls on his 79th birthday and Flag Day. The demonstrations follow several days of immigration protests that prompted Gov. Greg Abbott to deploy more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops statewide.

The protests come amid escalating tensions over civil rights, highlighted by a free speech controversy in Lockhart. The Caldwell County Democratic Party (CCDP) accused a judge of banning “No Kings” signs and flyers from their float during Saturday morning’s Chisholm Trail Roundup (CTR) Grand Parade.

In a press release, CCDP said Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden and Lockhart Mayor Lew White contacted Chair Alfredo Munoz, demanding the party refrain from displaying “No Kings” materials on their float in Saturday’s Chisholm Trail Roundup Grand Parade. They say Haden told them the Lockhart Police Chief would have anyone with “No Kings” materials arrested on the spot.

Munoz said his group originally planned to have a float displaying “We the People” and highlighting programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, along with a “No Kings” component.

“When the upper people found out about the no kings, we were told we couldn’t have the no kings on there. And if we did they would be arrested,” Munoz said.

“I told the judge, there’s a majority of these people are elderly people,” Munoz said. “And if you’re going to be pulling somebody that’s in their 70s, late 70s, 80s, off of a float because they’re carrying a sign that you don’t like, that’s not going to be good. Why are we not allowed to say things like that?”

The city of Lockhart later issued a statement saying it was “aware of the inaccurate statements made by local organizations” and that the Lockhart Police Department “does not want and will not enforce parade rules that have been set by parade organizers.” The city said it “did not state that it would instruct police officers to arrest protesters for exercising their constitutionally protected rights.”

After the city’s statement, the CCDP sent Nexstar a pair of emails to support their version of events.

The first of the emails was sent on Thursday night from Munoz to White and Haden.

“Thanks for speaking with me yesterday regarding the Caldwell County Democratic Party’s float in the 2025 Chisholm Trail Parade. I really appreciate you finding a way for us to continue to participate in the parade. I thought I’d follow up with an email outlining the city and Judge Haden’s terms for us to be in the parade,” Munoz wrote. “1) We can have a float and golf carts;
2) No one is allowed to walk alongside the float; 3) We are allowed to have a theme of “We the People”; 4) We are prohibited from having a theme of “No Kings Day”; 5) We will make sure our float participants understand that they cannot say or hand out literature that says “No Kings Day” and Lockhart Police chief Williamson will have them arrested if they do.”

Two hours later, Haden replied.

“No Kings are not to hand out literature at any part of CTR not just the parade. I was crystal clear about that,” he said. “They will instead have an hour from 5:30 to 6:30 on the north lawn of the courthouse Saturday… Amy (sic) no kings literature or protest at a CTR event will nullify our agreement.”

Munoz said he later received a call from the police chief clarifying that no arrests would be made.

The CCDP issued a statement calling the threats an attempt to suppress free speech. The party has participated in the parade for years and won first place in its category for the past two consecutive years.

“The CCDP never imagined that a ‘No Kings’ theme would be controversial in the United States of America,” the party said in its statement. “Ironically, this heavy-handed response demonstrates why our message isn’t just theoretical—it’s urgently needed.”

Haden did not respond to a request for comment.

The “No Kings” protests are organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. The group describes itself as “everyday Americans who stand for democracy” and opposes what they call authoritarian actions by the Trump administration.

In Austin, the “No Kings/Kick out the Clowns” protest is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Texas Capitol. Democratic Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, and State Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, are among the scheduled speakers.

Organizers have emphasized their commitment to nonviolent action and prohibit weapons at events.