() As President Donald Trump celebrates the Fourth of July with plans to sign his “big, beautiful bill” into law, more than 150 “Free America” protests are scheduled nationwide.
The demonstrations are aimed at Trump and his policies including massive deportation sweeps, ICE raids, sweeping tariffs and, most recently, the deep cuts in social services and health care in his recently-passed megabill.
Protests fight against ‘decimation of our rights’: Organizer
Women’s March, the organizer behind this movement, has called on people everywhere to join or host events against Trump’s policies.
The group had organized the Women’s March on Washington in 2017, the day after Trump’s first inauguration. This year’s events will range from low-key pot lucks to rallies in large cities.
Tamika Middleton, the chief political and strategy officer for Women’s March, told the current administration is “running rough shot over entire swaths of our community.”
“We are really in the act and in the business of standing together and fighting against what we see as a complete decimation of our rights and our freedoms in this country,” Middleton said.
Fourth of July celebrations canceled in California
Several communities in the Los Angeles area have canceled Independence Day festivities due to safety concerns over Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
The Los Angeles neighborhood of El Sereno cancelled its parade after 90% of participants dropped out, the Associated Press reported.
Organizer Genny Guerrero said the majority Latino community is “very patriotic.” But many people are avoiding events out of fear of immigration agents.
“The fact that they’re taking anyone that is brown, regardless of citizenship, that puts everyone in jeopardy,” Guerrero said.
More nationwide protests scheduled for July 17
The Independence Day demonstrations are far from the first against Trump and his administration’s actions.
On Flag Day, also Trump’s birthday, millions of people took to the streets for a day of defiance as part of “No Kings” protests.
Another day of nationwide protests is planned for July 17, when “Good Trouble Lives On” demonstrations are planned.
Organizers said those events are meant to honor the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., and respond to “attacks posed on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
