Thousands gathered in Daley Plaza and in suburban events in protests timed to coincide with a military parade in Washington celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

Follow live updates as the military parade in Washington, D.C., kicks off on Trump's birthday. 'No Kings' protests by opponents are planned across the country today.

The Houston demonstration is one of several planned in the region throughout the day and is expected to draw thousands of protesters.

"No Kings," a nationwide series of protests scheduled for Saturday, was planned as a counter to the military parade taking place in Washington D.C. on the same day. That parade is being held in honor of the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and, coincidentally, Mr. Trump's 79th birthday.

Atlanta’s 5,000-capacity “No Kings” rally quickly reached its limit, with thousands more demonstrators gathered outside barriers to hear speakers in front of the state Capitol. Huge crowds marched in New York, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles, some behind “no kings” banners.

“The most threatening sound to an oligarch is laughter.”

Motorists in two cities across the nation have struck “No Kings” protesters, according to multiple reports. Police detained two motorists whom they say intentionally drove into crowds of protesters in San Francisco, California and Culpeper, Virginia. There is no reason to believe the two incidents are connected.