While President Donald Trump attended a military parade he ordered on his birthday to recognize the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army in Washington, D.C., thousands of people in the Kansas City metro area flexed their First Amendment right Saturday to voice their opposition to polices of the Trump administration during the “No Kings” national day of defiance.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Thousands of people were at Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza Saturday afternoon for the “No Kings” rally. The protest began at noon and was scheduled to conclude at 3 p.m. On Saturday, “No Kings” rallies took place all over the country in response to recent actions taken by President Trump and other government officials.

A nationwide movement, these protests are set to coincide with a Flag Day military-style parade in Washington, D.C.

Mayor Quinton Lucas called the action by Republican Mike Kehoe an "unnecessary escalation." He also criticized the state's lack of response when a white nationalist hate group marched through Kansas City last month.

In Kansas City, a mass of protestors gathered at the Country Club Plaza. People from all walks of life shared a common goal to demonstrate their First Amendment right.

With protests planned this weekend, here’s a look at the Kansas City Police Department’s policy on responding to First Amendment protected activities.

The “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City was struck by violence when a man allegedly brandished a rifle near the crowd

An innocent bystander at a “No Kings” protest in Utah was shot and killed by a “peacekeeper” who was aiming for a different man pointing an AR-15-style rifle toward the crowd, witnesses told Salt Lake City police.