It is expected that the parade will happen, regardless of the rains and thunderstorms expected for Saturday afternoon
Storm sound alerts dismissed hundreds of people who, on Friday afternoon, tried to glimpse the perimeter that will host this Saturday a large military parade commissioned by US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Hundreds of mobile phones began to emit sound alerts at the same time to a sudden storm that was preparing to reach the American capital, with adults, children and the elderly and escape the first rays that began to fall shortly thereafter, emptiness of parallel to the National Mall, between the memorials of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, and where the military parade will pass.
US authorities are closely monitoring the climacteric conditions that currently reach the capital, but the parade is expected to happen, regardless of the rains and thunderstorms expected for Saturday afternoon.
“The climate is being closely monitored and taken into consideration,” said US Army Public Relations expert Heather J. Hagan, in a statement released on Friday, adding: “But so far nothing has changed.”
Although center of Washington was practically deserted in the late afternoon, a few meters from Capitol a group of pro-democracy and anti-Trump activists maintained a series of tents assembled and guaranteed Lusa that even the storm would make them feed.
“We will be here today and tomorrow [sexta-feira e sábado]in protest against this government. And we hope that many more come to us, “Mayday’s activists told Lusa, a movement that requires Donald Trump’s dismissal and criminal conviction.
The military parade convened by Trump will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army on June 14, a date that coincides with the 79th anniversary of the head of state itself.
The last major military parade in Washington DC was in 1991 and marked the end of the Gulf War.
Traditionally, military parades in the United States were held to mark the end of a war and welcome those who fought, but for decades the capital has not received something as great as Trump is planning up to $ 45 million (39.4 million euros).
Trump is expected to speak at the event, praising the history of the United States Army.
The parade has involved the mobilization of approximately 150 land vehicles and approximately 50 military aircraft, which will result in temporary traffic restrictions at points in the US capital and will affect matches and arriving at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington.
Since he announced the parade, Trump has been accused of acting like the leaders of countries with hybrid or openly authoritarian regimes with whom the president claims to have an affinity, such as Vladimir Putin of Russia, Xi Jinping, China, and Kim Jong-un.
In addition, the estimated cost for this parade has generated a contestation, as it oscillates between $ 25 million and $ 45 million (between 21.9 million and 39.4 million euros), according to an Army spokesman.
This includes the cost of repairing the streets of Washington after the passage of tons of various tons, which is expected to be around $ 16 million (14 million euros).
The parade has an expected duration of approximately one and a half hours and will be divided into Eras: War of Independence, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Global War against Terror, Modern Army and the Future.
The exhibition could attract up to 200,000 spectators, according to US secret services estimates.
On the same day of the parade, protesters go to the streets across the country, in what the organizers hope to be the largest anti-rump protest since the beginning of the government, sworn in in January.
Organizers estimate that millions of people protest in more than 1,500 cities in all 50 states of the country.
