Protest group aims to humiliate Trump with plan to leave seats empty at his military parade
A protest group called 50501 is trying to spoil President Donald Trump’s military birthday parade in Washington, D.C., by encouraging people to reserve free tickets and then not attend. Their plan is to leave lots of empty seats at the event to embarrass the president.
The group posted on Instagram on May 28 with a cheeky message saying they’re definitely not telling people to RSVP for two spots at Trump’s parade. But they did include the reservation link in their bio, clearly hinting at what they were trying to do. As of June 12, that link was still available for anyone who wanted to join in on the prank.
The military parade is set for Saturday, June 14, which is Trump’s 79th birthday, Flag Day, and also the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The government is expecting around 200,000 people to attend the event. Matt McCool, a representative from the Secret Service, said they’re getting ready for possibly hundreds of thousands of people. He mentioned they have a lot of security scanners in place and that there could be long lines if attendance is higher than expected.
Preparations for the big parade are already underway, with tanks and military equipment being set up around the National Mall. But while the government is preparing for a celebration, protest groups like 50501 are organizing demonstrations in response. The group’s name stands for “50 protests, 50 states, one mission,” and they’ve announced a nationwide protest campaign called “No Kings,” saying June 14 will be a national day of defiance.
They’re urging people across the country to show up, speak out, and take part in rallies—even suggesting they reserve parade tickets just to keep the seats empty. Though many cities will host protests, there won’t be any in Washington, D.C., itself due to warnings from Trump. He recently told reporters that any protesters at his parade would be met with “very big force.” He said, “We’re going to celebrate big on Saturday.”
Philadelphia is expected to host the largest protest, with demonstrators planning to march from Love Park to the steps of the Art Museum. Many other cities across the U.S. are also planning to join in with rallies and marches on the same day.
On its website, group 50501 explained why they’re taking action. They accused Trump’s government of harming ordinary people while helping the rich. They claimed the administration has ignored court rulings, mistreated citizens, taken people off the streets, violated civil rights, and cut important services. They said the flag doesn’t belong to Trump—it belongs to the people. That’s why they plan to speak out loudly across the country, saying “no kings, no crowns, no thrones.”
Despite the tensions, FBI agent Phillip Bates from the Washington Field Office said there are currently no credible threats against the event. Still, with millions watching and emotions running high, this weekend’s parade could turn out to be more than just a birthday celebration—it might become a major flashpoint of protest and political drama.
