They Chanted ‘Abolish the Police’—While Protected

Adriana Stone 0 1 min read

They Chanted ‘Abolish the Police’—While Protected

In Washington, D.C., a No Kings Day march made a striking scene. Protesters shouted for police abolition. At the same time, uniformed officers marched alongside them, holding traffic and keeping the route clear.

The rally targeted President Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Thousands showed up. Videos from the scene captured the moment and turned it into an instant talking point.

One chant was clear. “I said take it to the streets, abolish the police,” a male protester leading a chant yelled as multiple on-duty law enforcement officers walked with them, video by DCNF investigative reporter Hudson Crozier shows.

Officers escorted the crowd over the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. They held traffic and gave protesters room to march for about a mile. The irony stood out. People demanding cuts to police protection were under police protection.

Another clip caught a chant aimed directly at the Metropolitan Police Department. “MPD, cut that budget” could be heard, even as MPD officers were visible nearby, managing the demonstration and keeping order.

This scene undercuts the talking points some on the left still push. Many elected Democrats have already said calls to abolish police hurt them politically. Their base apparently didn’t get the memo.

The footage is simple and plain. It shows protesters saying one thing and getting the opposite treatment. The visuals are what people will remember. For critics, it makes the movement look inconsistent. For supporters, it may read as bold defiance.

Either way, the images are vivid. They’re easy to share. They raise real questions about messaging and strategy for activists who want major changes to policing while relying on police to protect their events.

Watch the clips below.

Local reporters on the ground provided the footage. The moment will likely be replayed in debates about tactics, public perception, and how anti-police rhetoric plays in the streets — literally under police supervision.

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