The Latest: No Kings in NC a day of peaceful protest

The latest updates:

• 6:00 p.m.: Protesters retreated to the shade and the crowd began to thin, a wrap on a day of action that stretched from Capital Boulevard in north Raleigh to Clayton, Morrisville, Durham and Cary. No arrests were reported, traffic was not significantly impacted and no violence or counterprotests were reported at any of the central North Carolina locations for the "No Kings" protests.
• 5:45 p.m.: Speakers wrapped up the 'No Kings' rally at the North Carolina State Capitol. A sweaty and energized crowd circled the building while drivers beeped in solidarity.
• 5:20 p.m.: 'This is the America that Trump has created," a military veteran told the crowd, "where even those who served are afraid their families will be torn apart."
• 5:15 p.m.: Speakers addressed the long-fought court battle to seat Allison Riggs on the state Supreme Court and upcoming municipal elections in asking those assembled to vote and remind their family, friends and neighbors to do so.
• 5:00 p.m.: Chants of "stand up, fight back," and "this is what democracy looks like," rang out from downtown Raleigh between speakers who urged protesters join and volunteer with the Democratic party.
• 4:45 p.m.: Politicians, volunteers, professors and young people addressed the crowd at the State Capitol, sharing the reasons they oppose the Trump administration. A young woman told the story of her family torn apart when her father self-deported. The crowd chanted in response, "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here."
• 4:30 p.m.: North Carolina State Rep. Phil Rubin (D-Wake) told the assembled, "I'm really proud to stand in front of this group of patriots today, who will stand in the heat, who will stand up to intimidation and who will stand up for our democracy."
• 4:15 p.m.: The crowd spent a moment in silence to mark the politically-motivated attack on a Democratic state lawmaker in Minnesota.
• 4:10 p.m.: Speakers welcomed more than 1,000 people to a Democratic party-led protest on the grounds of the State Capitol. A mention of ICE got a cheer from the crowd who bore temperatures of almost 90 degrees.
• 4:00 p.m.: A joyful, vocal crowd filled the grounds of the State Capitol in Raleigh, waving signs at drivers in downtown Raleigh. Sky 5 showed people lining the square about 2 deep and others trying to find shade under the trees.
• 3:50 p.m.: Along Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, people lined the sidewalk, chanting, waving signs and trying to stay cool in the summer heat. “I’m not protesting exactly for me, because I’m 75,” said Robin Kitson. “I’m protesting for the people who come behind me.”
• 3:30 p.m.: Another round of No Kings rallies is scheduled to begin in downtown Raleigh at 4 p.m. By 3:30, a few hundred people were gathered at the State Capitol building.
• 2:30 p.m.: The crowd in Durham had largely dispersed after gathering and marching for hours in the Saturday afternoon sun.
• 2:03 p.m.: Protestors along Capital Blvd. in Raleigh seem to be thinning out. That event was scheduled to end at 2 p.m.
• 1:30 p.m.: Durham protesters marched from downtown's CCB Plaza to Central Park. Organizers said it was the largest political protest in the city since Donald Trump's election.
• 1:07 p.m.: Durham protestors have started marching in the streets. Police have blocked off streets accordingly. Protests remain peaceful.
• 12:57 p.m.: Durham protestors who originally congregated in the CCB plaza have started moving on Foster Street toward the Durham Convention Center. Traffic along E Chapel Hill and Main streets seem to be slow.

Suchin Shukla, a Durham protestor, said he is a physician, and he is at the protest because he is concerned about the threats to Medicaid.

"I have patients that rely on Medicaid and rely on healthcare to stay safe and be breadwinners for their families," said Shukla. "It's really great to see that so many people are concerned about the health of our country and the health of our democracy."

Lillian Dubiel, another Durham protestor, said she is an OBGYN and military spouse. She said she is appalled on a "daily basis by the horrible things that are happening in our country."

"We are abandoning science, abandoning vaccines for our children. We are sending our troops into the streets instead of allowing them to prepare to defend our country from foreign threats," said Dubiel. "And we won't stop fighting until we get our country back."

• 12:33 p.m.: Fayetteville protestors begin to trickle away from scene due to heat and humidity. Crowd size estimated to be between 250 and 300 people.
• 12:12 p.m.: Chapel Hill protestors are standing alongside Franklin Street, filling up the sidewalks along the road. Protests seem to be peaceful and traffic seems to be normal and steady. People are filling into the street, but Chapel Hill police are on the scene and redirecting traffic.
• 11:53 a.m.: Raleigh police scanners said that 700-800 people are at the Capital Boulevard protest.
• 11:40 a.m.: Sky 5 flew over a crowd forming in Durham on the CCB Plaza. A large American flag sits in the center of the crowd. Protest seems to be peaceful and contained in the plaza.
• 11:34 a.m.: Traffic is slowing down north on Capital Boulevard, but protesters are staying on the sidewalk.
• 11:19 a.m.: "No Kings" event in Northeast Minneapolis cancelled due to a shelter-in-place order following a politically motivated shooting of two elected officials.
• 11:10 a.m.: Hundreds still continue to gather along Capital Boulevard. Protests remain peaceful and contained on the grass alongside road.
• 10:55 a.m.: Sky 5 flew over hundreds of protestors in Raleigh gathering alongside Capital Boulevard.
• 10:28 a.m.: Protestor Claire Bishop said to WRAL News in Cary she is in her third year of college studying history. She said she thinks what's going on with the administration is "really alarming" and "really frightening."

"We've seen it all before in many instances, but it is a descendent of fascism, and I care a lot about that," said Bishop. "Especially with ICE and the attacks on transgender individuals, it's very much scapegoating. As someone who cares about my country, it's frightening, so that's why I'm here."

• 10:21 a.m.: People in Raleigh begin to gather at a parking lot to start preparing for protests on Capital Blvd.
• 10:17 a.m.: Protestors in Cary seem to be contained to the sidewalks, on all four corners of the intersection. Traffic seems to be back to normal and not slowing down.
• 9:56 a.m.: Protestors in Cary with signs line the sidewalk along the intersection of Maynard and Kildaire Farm roads. Traffic seems to be backed up along that road.

Protests are beginning to set up across cities and towns in North Carolina as part of a “nationwide day of defiance” against President Donald Trump.

"No Kings" protests planned in many central NC communities

As of 9 a.m. Saturday morning, WRAL News has not seen protesters make their way to Raleigh's Capital Blvd protest, which is set to officially begin at 11 a.m.

Another protest in Raleigh is set to take place at 4 p.m. at the State Capitol, where rain and heavy traffic from other events will intersect. This protest is expected to see over 2,000 people, according to organizers.

Raleigh Police Department said no streets will be closed because of these rallies. 

Across the country, “No Kings” demonstrations are set to take place on Flag Day, which is Saturday, June 14. These demonstrations coincide with the White House’s celebration of the 250-year anniversary of the U.S. Army and President Trump’s birthday.

“The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump,” the protest organizers’ wrote on the “No Kings website. “It belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it.”

The national mobilization is organized by a coalition of groups such as Indivisible, the Human Rights Campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union, 50501 and the Jewish Voice for Peace. The organizer’s website said “No Kings” is inspired by the success of other nationwide demonstrations like “Hands Off!” and “May Day.”

A spokesperson for the North Carolina Republican Party said, "It’s shameful the radical left-wing Democrats are protesting the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday Celebration over their hatred of President Trump. The American people clearly support President Trump’s agenda, but more importantly, we should all agree on celebrating and honoring our American heroes at the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army. This event is an opportunity to honor the sacrifices, achievements, and true spirit of American warriors."

Where and when are the protests?

There are roughly 15 demonstrations planned across the region this weekend.

Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and more cities in and around the Triangle are hosting their own protests at different times throughout the day. Find the full list of participating cities here. 

According to NC 50501 spokesperson Cole Dragotta, the Raleigh protest is expected to draw more than 2,000 people as of Friday morning.

“No Kings” noted that the demonstrations are a commitment to nonviolent action. The website expects all participants to seek de-escalation in any potential confrontation “with those who disagree” with their values. 

Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, are discouraged from being brought to the events. 

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said the safety of the state's citizens is paramount during these organized protests where large crowds gather.

“The right to peacefully protest is sacred and enshrined in our First Amendment, and I will always work to protect that right," Stein said. "I urge everyone who wishes to be heard to do so peacefully and lawfully."

“Our nation’s history has been shaped by powerful examples of nonviolent protest, and we are the better for them. Turning to violence or destruction, however, risks harming people and property; it will not be tolerated. Keeping North Carolinians safe is an absolute must."

Stein's office has been in communication with several state agencies and law enforcement teams this week.

A spokesperson for the North Carolina GOP called Saturday's planned gatherings radical. 

Why are demonstrations happening on Flag Day, June 14?

While in Washington, D.C., the U.S Army is celebrating its 250th anniversary with a full day of festival programming at the National Mall and a grand military parade along Constitution Avenue. The celebration will include military demonstrations, equipment displays, live music and food trucks. 

Because of this celebration, No Kings said it will not host a demonstration in D.C. Instead, that major flagship march has moved to Pennsylvania to draw a “clear contrast” between the demonstrations and the parade in D.C.

The date also happens to be President Trump’s 79th birthday. 

On Tuesday, President Trump kicked off this week of military-centric events with a visit to Fort Bragg, his second official visit to North Carolina since being reelected.