ORLANDO, Fla. – More than 70 of the nearly 2,000 “No Kings” protests planned Saturday across the world are set to take place in Florida, where law enforcement is weighing in and issuing warnings ahead of time.

The organizers’ website states these protests will be “a nationwide day of defiance” against President Donald Trump and will seek to draw attention away from a military parade in Washington D.C. for the Army’s 250th anniversary on June 14, which happens to also be the president’s 79th birthday.

As such, there will not be a “No Kings” protest held in the nation’s capital, where the parade is otherwise set to get going around 6:30 p.m. ET.

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.

(…)

A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.

nokings.org (excerpts)

“No Kings” demonstrators are expected to gather at Orlando’s City Hall by 5 p.m., at an intersection west of the New Smyrna Beach Historic District by 10 a.m. and on the Kissimmee Trail Bridge by 3 p.m., just to name some of what’s happening locally. News 6 will plan to have reporters at all three of those locations throughout the day on Saturday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a recent interview that the state was preparing for the protests.

“The minute you cross into attacking law enforcement, any type of rioting, any type of vandalism, looting, just be prepared to have the law come down on you,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “And we will make an example of you, you can guarantee it.”

We’re also hearing from Central Florida law enforcement in the days and hours leading up to the demonstrations.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey on Thursday called peaceful protesting an important part of democracy and threatened to kill any demonstrators who use violence against law enforcement.

“If you throw a brick, a fire bomb, or point a gun at one of one our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at because we will kill you graveyard-dead,” the sheriff said.

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The Orlando Police Department provided the following statement to News 6 ahead of Saturday’s demonstrations:

The safety and security of everyone remains the Orlando Police Department’s top priority. While we don’t discuss specific security measures, we always plan and staff large-scale events appropriately to provide proper public safety and assess the needs of the event to make any necessary security modifications.

The Orlando Police Department wants to remind our community to always call 9-1-1 or flag down an officer working the event if they see anything suspicious. Whether security measures are visible or not, officers are always working on the streets and behind the scenes to ensure the safety of our city.

Media Relations | Orlando Police Department

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has also since shared a statement to social media saying that agitators are not welcome and that his deputies intend to protect protesters’ First Amendment rights.

I know Volusia County knows how to protest peacefully because I’ve seen it firsthand.

This weekend, as demonstrations are planned across the U.S. and right here in our community, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and all our law enforcement partners will be working to protect everyone’s ability to exercise their First Amendment rights without putting public safety at risk.

Agitators are not welcome. Any agitators looking to spark violence, cause destruction, commit vandalism or block traffic will be dealt with swiftly and severely. They will be removed from the situation and held accountable for their actions. Florida law is clear on that.

It doesn’t matter what your political beliefs are, or what your message is. Our job is to keep people safe.

We’ve all seen that violence and property damage always backfire and only undermine the message of a protest. I’m confident Volusia County will once again prove that even in times of intense disagreement, we’re not going to fall into that trap. VSO will be ready to respond to anyone who does.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Facebook | June 13, 2025

DeLand’s police department also issued the following statement in response to a “No Kings” protest planned downtown:

The DeLand Police Department is aware of a planned demonstration entitled the “No Kings Protest,” scheduled to take place in the downtown area this Saturday in response to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement actions. The Department fully supports the constitutional right to peacefully assemble and express views on matters of public concern. We have been monitoring developments and are coordinating resources to ensure the safety of all participants and the wider community. At this time, we expect a peaceful protest. However, the DeLand Police Department remains fully prepared to respond to any incidents of unrest or unlawful behavior that may occur. “Our goal is to support lawful First Amendment activity while ensuring that public safety is preserved for all residents, visitors, and businesses,” said Deputy Chief Adam Kisthardt. “We are working proactively to maintain a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved.” An increased police presence will be visible in the downtown area on Saturday as part of our safety and preparedness plan. At this time, no road closures or major disruptions to services are anticipated. Members of the public are encouraged to stay informed through official City of DeLand communication channels. The DeLand Police Department remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and respectful engagement with our diverse community.

DeLand Police Department

New Smyrna Beach police said in the following statement that they’re aware of what’s planned for Saturday and are prepared to ensure everyone’s safety:

We are aware of the events planned for Saturday and are prepared to ensure the safety of everyone involved. With the expected increase in traffic and activity, our priority is to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all.

We fully support the right to peaceful assembly and free expression. We encourage anyone attending to remain respectful of one another and of our shared community spaces. Our officers will be present and ready to ensure public safety whether individuals are demonstrating, celebrating, or simply passing through while encouraging events to remain peaceful and lawful.

We kindly ask everyone to be patient with potential traffic impacts and to cooperate with any public safety measures in place. We appreciate the community’s continued partnership in helping keep New Smyrna Beach safe and welcoming for all.

New Smyrna Beach police | June 13, 2025

A spokesperson for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office told News 6 that their agency was aware of the planned protests, adding, “Seminole County residents have a long history of expressing themselves with high levels of respect and with safety for all in mind.”

This story will be updated with more statements and messaging ahead of the demonstrations as they are gathered.

Check back with News 6 for team coverage of local demonstrations, as well as a livestream of the military parade in D.C.