WASHINGTON, D.C., USA: The U.S. capital witnessed a powerful wave of defiance as thousands of residents poured onto the streets, protesting President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to deploy National Guard troops and federal agents across the city. The move, which federalized the Metropolitan Police Department, has sparked widespread outrage, with citizens calling it an assault on democracy and civil liberties.
The march, branded “We Are All D.C.,” began at Meridian Hill Park and moved toward Freedom Plaza. Protesters held banners, chanted “Free DC” and “Resist Tyranny,” while demanding an end to the militarization of their city. Voices from all walks of life—immigrants, activists, and civil rights groups—united in condemning the deployment as authoritarian and unnecessary, especially at a time when violent crime is reported to be at a three-decade low.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has already taken legal action, filing a lawsuit against the federal government, terming the step “unconstitutional overreach.” On the other hand, Mayor Muriel Bowser has adopted a more cautious tone. While acknowledging that crime rates have fallen since the deployment, she stressed the need for the mission to be scaled back soon and coordinated under local governance.
For protesters, however, the matter goes beyond crime statistics—it’s about the principle of self-governance and the protection of democratic norms. Many warned that if left unchecked, the precedent could severely undermine the autonomy of the capital.
Saturday’s rally served as more than a protest—it became a rallying cry for Washingtonians demanding their right to decide who polices their streets and how.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.