On a humid Friday morning in Center City Philadelphia, the sound of hammers echoed down Walnut Street. Wooden boards were mounted above glass-fronted stores one by one as nervous shopkeepers prepared for what is predicted to be one of the city’s biggest demonstrations in years.
“I’ve been through protests before, but this feels different,”
said Melissa Zielinski, general manager of Walnut Garden, as she watched workers seal her shop’s windows with plywood.
“We’re staying open for now. But if things get tense, we’ll shut down immediately. I’m hopeful for peace. But I’m not taking chances.”
The reason for all the preparation? The “No Kings” protest, organized by Indivisible Philadelphia, is set to take over the city on Saturday, June 14 Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, and President Donald Trump’s birthday.
Part of a massive national movement with nearly 2,000 events planned across the nation but the Philadelphia rally will be the largest, with organizers predicting that as many as 60,000 will attend. The rally will start at the LOVE Park at 10 a.m. with the march proceeding down Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where there will be speeches from 1 to 3 p.m.
“This is a grassroots demonstration,”
said Vicki Miller, spokesperson for Indivisible Philadelphia.
“We want to make a statement about our values in opposition to authoritarianism and for democratic values. We worked with the city, the police, SEPTA, and emergency responders to maintain this as a peaceful and secure event.”
Miller added that protest marshals have been trained to assist attendees and de-escalate any tension.
“We’re not here to fight. We’re here to be heard.”
Still, the city is on edge. Dozens of businesses have either boarded up or announced plans to close early. The memory of unrest during the 2020 George Floyd protests and the 2020 election looms large.
“It’s not about expecting violence,”
said one shop owner near Rittenhouse Square.
“It’s about being ready.”
That wariness increased after a June 10 protest at the Federal Detention Center, when 15 were arrested during a protest of the ICE raids. Police were alleged to have employed disproportionate force in dispersing the crowd.
In support of crowd safety, the city made official extensive closures of major roadways such as Eakins Oval and the Parkway from 3 a.m. Public transit will also experience disruptions, with SEPTA diverting buses and instructing riders to review its System Status Page for live updates.
Social media, as always, is amplifying the tension. A viral image posted by user @jpegjoshua showing boarded-up stores sparked speculation of imminent violence. But organizers and city officials have been quick to push back.
“There’s a difference between preparation and panic,”
said Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible.
“We’ve seen false claims spread online. We urge people to fact-check before sharing.”
As Friday draws to a close and the last boards go aloft, Center City Philadelphia hangs in the balance between fear and determination. For these individuals, such as Melissa Zielinski, it’s about what they must do to safeguard their living. For others, like Vicki Miller, it’s about taking a stand for the future.
“Saturday isn’t about one man,”
Miller said.
“It’s about reminding ourselves that power belongs to the people not to kings.”
Philadelphians are encouraged to follow verified updates and share their experiences using #NoKingsPhilly.
