Thousands of activists are demonstrating in cities across the country on Saturday ― the date when Americans’ taxes are normally due ― to demand the release of President Donald Trump’s tax returns.
The largest marches were due to take place in Washington, D.C., and New York City this afternoon. Some 100 other cities were slated to host smaller marches.
Protesters in Washington, D.C., started their rally at noon, with speeches at the U.S. Capitol. They were scheduled to begin a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue past the Trump International Hotel and the IRS building from 1 p.m.
Speakers in the Capitol include Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee; Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), ranking member on the House Financial Services Committee; and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Several policy experts and progressive leaders were addressing the rally.
The march’s speakers also planned to call for a fairer taxation system, which they argue is unfairly skewed to the advantage of wealthy people including Trump.
The progressive organizations and labor unions sponsoring the march include MoveOn.org, Public Citizen, Demos, Credo, the Working Families Party, the National Women’s Law Center and the American Federation of Teachers.
Watch the Washington, D.C., rally and march live on Facebook below:
A coalition of liberal groups organized the “Tax March,” as they are calling it, to coincide with April 15, because it’s usually Tax Day ― the final day for individuals to submit their tax returns.
This year, individual tax returns are due on Tuesday, April 18, since April 15 is a Saturday and on Monday, federal government workers have the day off work for Emancipation Day, a Washington, D.C. holiday.
Trump is the first president in four decades who has not released his tax returns or comparable financial information. The practice became a tradition when former President Richard Nixon released his returns after he was audited.
Stay tuned for updates from the marches throughout the day.