‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protests planned in KY cities. When & where they will be
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday he’s activating Kentucky’s Emergency Operations Center ahead of several “No Kings” protests planned across the state this weekend.
Flag Day is Saturday, June 14, and as a military parade troops through the streets of Washington, D.C., residents of cities and towns across the country will engage in a “nationwide day of defiance,” with more than 2,000 No Kings protests planned.
The day includes at least 14 protests planned across the Bluegrass State. Thursday, during his weekly news conference, Beshear said he planned to activate the state’s Emergency Operations Center to share information and coordinate resources if needed, but overall, Beshear said he expects the weekends events to be peaceful in Kentucky.
“I’ve been in contact with a couple of the locations, but everything we’re seeing thus far suggests all of this is going to be peaceful,” Beshear said.
The D.C. military parade, which will feature thousands of U.S. service members, tanks and military aircraft flyovers, honors the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. It also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. The event is expected to cost an estimated $45 million, including $16 million to repair District of Columbia infrastructure damaged by the heavy-duty weaponry on display, NBC News reports.
In Kentucky, Fort Knox is holding its own celebrations for the U.S. Army’s milestone birthday, including with a communitywide run Friday, June 13, officials announced in a news release.
For his part, Trump has called the cost of the parade “peanuts.” During his first term, the Pentagon opposed the idea, wanting to keep the military out of politics, according to the New York Times.
“For two and a half centuries, the men and women of America’s army have dominated our enemies and protected our freedom at home. This parade salutes our soldiers’ remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit. You won’t want to miss it!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform, as reported by Newsweek.
No Kings protest volunteer organizers say the day’s events are about “taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like.”
“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too. far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings,” the group’s website states.
Craig Blair, an organizer of Lexington’s No Kings protest, said several advocacy groups are involved. They include Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance, Project Kentucky, 50501KY, Bluegrass Activist Alliance, Gathering for Democracy, the Lexington-Fayette NAACP branch and Local 120 of American Federation of Teachers. Blair is a member of Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance.
Blair responded to the Herald-Leader’s request for comment via email.
“Our goal is to bring attention to the blatant and unconstitutional overreach occurring under this Administration. From denying Due Process to suppressing media and intimidating judges, this Administration is displaying a disregard for the Constitution that we have never seen from within our own Government.
“We call on Republican legislators to exercise their Constitutionally mandated powers to curb the illegal activities of this Administration. We further call on all Legislators, Executive and Judicial Branch Officers to honor the oaths they swore to uphold the Constitution and protect our Democracy,” Blair’s statement reads.
The weekend’s planned demonstrations come as National Guard troops mobilize in Los Angeles, at President Trump’s direction, to quell demonstrations against immigration enforcement operations there.
Where are No Kings protests planned in Kentucky?
As of June 9, No Kings organizers had planned 14 protests across the Bluegrass State at the following locations in Kentucky:
Lexington: Noon to 3 p.m. EDT downtown at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza at 120 North Limestone.
Louisville: Noon to 4 p.m. EDT at Metro City Hall, located at 527 West Jefferson St.
Bowling Green: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT downtown with exact location to be announced.
Owensboro: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at 212 St. Ann St. near the waterfront.
Paducah: 1 to 2:30 p.m. CDT at Bob Noble Park, specifically on the sidewalks on Park Avenue near the Wacinton totem sculpture.
Madisonville: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at a private address.
Henderson: 6:15 to 8 p.m. CDT at the courthouse at 20 North Main St.
Hopkinsville: Noon to 1:30 pm CDT at the Justice Center at 100 Justice Way.
Todd County: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event’s address is private.
Franklin: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at 100 North Main St.
Shelbyville: 1 to 3 p.m. EDT at the Stargazer Plaza at 612 Main St.
Danville: 10 to 11 a.m. EDT. The event’s address is private.
Morehead: Noon to 2 p.m. EDT at Fountain Park at the intersection of Main Street and KY-32, across from Wendy’s.
Hazard: Noon to 3 p.m. EDT at Daniel Boone Plaza.
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This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.