Episcopalian bishops were among those who took part in the 'No Kings' protests that spread across the United States last week.
The coordinated movement took place on 14th June and was entitled 'No Kings Day of Defiance' and coincided with President Trump's 79th birthday and the U.S Army's 250th anniversary military parade in Washington.
Speaking to thelivingchurch.org, several clerics explained why they had taken part in the rallies.
Bishop Betsey Monnot from Iowa wrote on Facebook that her demonstration was "so very not radical", claiming it was merely a support for democracy, which she said was in the Pledge of Allegiance and also in the Baptismal Covenant.
She said Episcopalians “promise to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. We promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbour as ourselves", adding "We simply cannot be silent about this.” She also held up a sign which read “Liberty and Justice for All” in red, white, and blue.
Bishop Kara Wagner Sherer of Rochester from New York State, attended a local rally, joining with Roman Catholic nuns and other Episcopalians. Bishop Kara told the outlet:
“I was going as a Christian, an Episcopalian bishop, to support the folks I knew from the diocese who were present,” she said. “As Christians, we proclaim that only Jesus is Lord. We don’t want other people proclaiming themselves as lord and king.”
Other clerics included Bishop Julia Whitworth of Massachusetts and the Rev Liz Steinhauser, a priest from the Cathedral of St. Paul in Boston, who attended a parade in Boston along with 300 Episcopalians.
Bishop Lucinda Ashby of El Camino Real shared a picture on social media where she joined more than 1,000 people in the Central California city of Salinas, where over half of the population is Hispanic, a key demographic hit by the recent ICE raids that led to violent skirmishes between the public and the authorities.
In total, over 2,000 marches took place across the country in 50 states.
It followed days of protests in response to increased ICE immigration raids within LA.
The movement claims to have two demands: to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach.