Opponents of President Donald Trump north of the border gathered near the American embassy in Ottawa Saturday, joining massive “No Kings” demonstrations taking place in U.S. cities this weekend. Nearly 2,000 protests are sweeping major cities in the United States opposing Trump’s immigration policies and his planned military parade in Washington D.C. on Saturday. The crowd in Ottawa held a “No Tyrants” rally at the York Street steps before marching down Sussex Drive in front of the embassy. “As a dual citizen, I’m extremely concerned that the country that I lived in for most of my life is under a dictatorship,” said demonstrator Jon Picard. “It’s alarming and there’s not enough people that are doing enough to stop it.” Originally from Maine, Picard says he’s concerned about his friends and family in the United States. “They see ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) coming into areas in my state, Maine, which is ridiculous, and they’re frightened, they’re frightened for their future,” he said. Protesters were seen holding Canadian flags along with signs expressing anti-fascist and pro-democracy sentiments. With the king serving as the Canadian head of state, organizers opted to use the language “No Tyrants” over “No Kings” and swapped “No Crowns” for “No Clowns.” “I’m out here to be in solidarity with the American people and the trauma that they’re going through right now and I’m also here as a patriotic Canadian and standing by Canada,” said demonstrator Laura Benne, a dual Canadian American citizen. “If I can be honest, I’m terrified. It’s frightening… I feel like a lot of people in the U.S. understand that what’s happening in the United States right now is very similar to what was happening in Germany in the 1930s.” Other rallies are planned in other Canadian cities, including Toronto and Vancouver. Saturday’s parade in the U.S. capital is taking place to commemorate the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and happening on the same day as Trump’s 79th birthday. It’s expected to feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. The rallies are taking place following days of nationwide protests against Trump’s federal immigration raids, including in Los Angeles, where the president deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Trump is expected to attend the three-day G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta. on Sunday, his first visit to Canada since the G7 was hosted in Charlevoix, Que. in 2018. With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Austin Lee and The Associated Press
