#AmnestyInternational Condemns Trump Threat of 'Very Heavy Force' Against #MilitaryParade #Protesters

The #FarRight Republican president, warned the #HumanRights group, "is continuing to send a clear and chilling message: #dissent will be punished."

Jon Queally
Jun 12, 2025

"The human rights advocacy group Amnesty International USA has issued a strong rebuke and warning in response to President Donald Trump's public threat to aim 'very heavy force' at law-abiding protesters voicing their constitutionally-protected #FreeSpeech during organized '#NoKings' protests scheduled for Saturday nationwide.

"In Tuesday remarks to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he didn't know of any planned protests timed to coincide with his $134-million parade, taking place on his birthday, but said if there are, 'these are people that hate our country.'

" 'For those people who want to protest, they're going to be met with very big force,' Trump said, making no distinction between peaceful demonstrators and those who might be more confrontational or even violent.

" 'Now is a good moment to remind President Trump that protesting is a human right and that his administration is obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly–not suppress them,' said Paul O'Brien, executive director of Amnesty International USA, in a statement on Wednesday.

"Trump's threat arrived after he overrode California Gov. Gavin Newsom to call up 4,000 National Guard troops in that state last weekend—and subsequently U.S. Marine forces—to confront large protests in Los Angeles that erupted in response to raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (#ICE) agents and the violent arrest of union leader #DavidHuerta, president of #SEIUCalifornia.

" 'The militarized response to protests, including the deployment of the #NationalGuard and the #Marines in #LosAngeles, further escalates tensions and is a chilling preview of even more human rights violations that could be coming,' warned O'Brien. 'The U.S. military is not trained or equipped to police civilians. It increases the risk of excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and other violations of free expression and peaceful assembly. The Trump administration has already shown us that it will use any tool of the state, including ICE, police, and military forces to target #immigrants, #AsylumSeekers, #protesters, and anyone who dares to defend their rights.'

"Over 1,800 coordinated '#NoKings' protests are being organized for [#June14] to counter Trump's growing #authoritarianism and to coincide with the military parade Trump is throwing for himself in #WashingtonDC, at an estimated cost of $134 million.

"A new poll released Thursday shows a majority of Americans believe the parade is a waste of taxpayer money.

"Approximately 6 in 10 Americans also say Trump's parade is 'not a good use' of taxpayer funds, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That number of disapproving voters includes a number of people surveyed who have no particular criticism of the parade itself.

"Beyond the wasted cost, critics of the president warn that the more dangerous aspect of the parade is how the spectacle dovetails with Trump's broader authoritarianism, including his militarized response to dissent and weaponizing state power against his perceived political enemies.

" 'Make no mistake,' said Amnesty's O'Brien. 'President Trump’s response to protests has nothing to do with public safety. This is his administration’s way of stoking fear and suppressing opposition. By sending police, ICE, or the military into neighborhoods to silence voices calling for justice and human rights, President Trump is continuing to send a clear and chilling message: dissent will be punished.'

"Amnesty called for an immediate halt to Trump's 'militarized response' to public protest."

Listen / read more:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-heavy-force-military-parade-protesters