U.S. President Donald Trump gave protesters a strong warning, saying they should avoid the military parade scheduled for Saturday in Washington, D.C., which will mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
The event also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday. Addressing a gathering at Fort Bragg in North Carolina on Tuesday, Trump indicated that demonstrators who "hate our country" would be confronted with "very heavy force.
While he visited Fort Bragg — where the Army celebrated its 250th anniversary — President Obama witnessed military exercises, such as a missile launch simulation exercise, a helicopter exercise, and a tactical building attack, in an Xinhua news agency report.
Prior to leaving for North Carolina, Trump spoke with the press in the Oval Office and delivered a ominous message to any protestors who may plan on attending the parade. "For those people who wish to protest, they're going to be met with a very big force. And I've not even heard of a protest, but you know, this is individuals that despise our nation, but they will be met with very heavy force," he stated.
The New York Times quoted that Trump's comment blurred the lines between peaceful protesters and violent protesters and raised questions about the tone of his warning.
Referring to the next parade as an "amazing day," Trump made it clear that any disturbance would be tackled harshly. His comments came after praising the recent deployment of Marines and National Guard troops to respond to protests in Los Angeles. The protests were initiated by federal immigration raids, which have attracted criticism across the country.
The report says the latest protests involved acts such as arson, attacks on police with lumps of concrete, and shoplifting at business centers, including an Apple Store.
The protest supporters, however, say most demonstrations were peaceful. They allege that Trump's administration and political supporters have overstated the violent incidents to tarnish the wider movement against his immigration policies.
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