By Khaleda Rahman
Demonstrations, rallies and other events protesting President Donald Trump’s administration are set to be held across the country throughout the Independence Day weekend.Why It MattersThe upcoming events follow other nationwide protests against the Trump administration and its policies organized by the 50501 Movement (50 protests, 50 states, one movement) and other groups since Trump returned to office in January.On June 14, Trump’s birthday, millions of people took to the streets for “No Kings” protests, targeting the president’s military parade to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary.’Free America’ Event Locations on July Fourth WeekendWomen’s March, the organization behind “Free America Weekend,” is calling on people to join or host events over the coming holiday weekend.”We invite communities to create their own Free America events—rallies, marches, block parties, banner drops, street parades, art builds, backyard BBQs, dance protests, and more,” the Women’s March website said.”They want us scared, divided, and alone. They don’t want us to dream about freedom. But that’s exactly what we have to do,” it continued. “This Fourth of July, we will be in the streets with songs of freedom and joy. The dream of American freedom belongs to all of us, and we will not stop in our pursuit of its promise, now or ever.”Here are some of the Free America events taking place over the holiday weekend. To see a map and all the events taking place, visit the Women’s March website.
Montgomery, Alabama: Free America Weekend Food and School Supply Drive, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 4 at the NewSouth Bookstore, 105 South Court Street
Soldotna, Alaska: Interfaith Picnic and Free America Music Jam, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 5 at Soldotna Creek Park, 251 States Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas: Candlelight Vigil, 8:45 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4 at Junction Bridge
Los Angeles, California: Los Feliz Free America Weekend, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Vermont and Prospect Traffic Triangle, 4757 Prospect Avenue
Arvada, Colorado: Free America Weekend, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 4 at 7305 Grandview Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut: West Hartford’s Free America Weekend, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 5 at Connecticut Veteran’s Memorial Park
Miami, Florida: Reclaim Freedom Rally, from 11 a.m. on July 4 at the Torch of Friendship, 301 Biscayne Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois: People’s Independence Day Chicago, from 11 a.m. on July 4 at Federal Plaza, 230 South Dearborn
Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana 50501 Community Cookout, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on July 4 at 2432 Conservatory Drive
Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Free America Weekend, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 4 at Cedar Rapids U.S. Courthouse, 111 7th Avenue Southeast
Lafayette, Louisiana: 337 Free America Weekend, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 4 at Prejean Point, 735 Jefferson Street
Freeport, Maine: Free America Event from 10 a.m. on July 4 at 2 Merrill Road
North East, Maryland: Let Freedom Ring!, from 10 a.m. on July 4 at North East Community Park, 200 West Walnut Street
Riverview, Michigan: Freedom vs. Fascism, 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 5 at Riverview Veterans Memorial Library, 14300 Sibley Road
St. Cloud, Minnesota: St. Cloud Area Free America Weekend, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 4 at Great River Regional Library, 1300 West Saint Germain Street
Saint Joseph, Missouri: Let Freedom Ring in St. Joseph!, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 4 at 3702 Frederick Avenue
Forsyth, Montana: Free America BBQ & Protest, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on July 4 at Marcyes Park, 400 Front Street
Suncook, New Hampshire: N.H. Statewide Bridge Occupation, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 6, location to be announced
Trenton, New Jersey: Free America Protest, from 6 p.m. on July 4 at the Plaza, 145 West State Street
Alamogordo, New Mexico: Otero County Free America Weekend, from 10 a.m. on July 4 at 1001 North White Sands Boulevard
Mamaroneck, New York: Free America July 4th Weekend, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on July 5 at Harbor Island, Boston Post Road
Morrisville, North Carolina: Triangle Bridges to Freedom, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on July 6 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 2400 John Brantley Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio: Free America Weekend, from 10 a.m. on July 4 at the Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square
Portland, Oregon: Free America Weekend—Sellwood Bridge Protest, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 4 at Southwest Sellwood Bridge
Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Lancaster Free America Weekend, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 5 at 1 Penn Square
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Myrtle Beach Free America Weekend, from 10 a.m. on July 4, location to be announced
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Sioux Falls Independence Day, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 4 at USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial, 2705 West 12th Street
Houston, Texas: Houston Free America Weekend, from 10 a.m. on July 4 at Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby Street
Salt Lake City, Utah: Free America Weekend, from 10 a.m. on July 4 at the Utah State Capitol, 350 State Street
Shelburne, Vermont: Shelburne—Take Back Your County, 12 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 4 at 5300 Shelburne Road
Roanoke, Virginia: No Kings 2.0, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on July 4 at Elmwood Park, 505 Williamson Road Southeast
Seattle, Washington: Seattle: Queen Anne Resist, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at West Dravus Street Overpass, 1800 West Dravus Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Green Bay—Free America Weekend, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on July 4, 100 East Walnut Street
Jackson, Wyoming: Teton County Free America March, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 4 at 447 West Snow King Avenue
What People Are SayingWomen’s March said on its website: “This July 4th, while the U.S. marks Independence Day, we’ll gather across the country—on porches, in town squares, backyards, and streets—to stand for real freedom and build a vision of a Free America brick by brick.”Free America is wherever we are. Free America is whatever we make it. Host or join a July 4th Free America action—rallies, BBQs, marches, art builds, community block parties, and more to celebrate real freedom.”What Happens NextFree America events are scheduled to take place across the country over the July Fourth weekend. Some local chapters of Indivisible have also planned “No Kings 2.0” protests for July 4.Another day of nationwide demonstrations—billed as “Good Trouble Lives On,” a reference to the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis—are planned for July 17. According to organizers, the events are a response to “the attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration.”