Parade Details and Preparations
The military parade, marking the 's 250th anniversary and 's 79th birthday, features thousands of troops, vehicles, and aircraft, costing between $25 million and $45 million. It includes a wreath-laying ceremony, a fitness competition, and an Army festival.
To protect city infrastructure, the Army plans to use rubber pads and steel plates for street repairs post-event. The parade, originally a small festival, expanded significantly after Trump's election, inspired by France's .
National and International Reactions
Critics argue the parade is a misuse of public funds and an authoritarian display, with comparisons to North Korean and Russian parades. Protests against the parade, dubbed the "" campaign, were expected to draw millions nationwide.
The event has sparked significant political debate, with supporters viewing it as a demonstration of national pride and critics seeing it as a politicization of the military and an assertion of Trump's power.