OLD SAYBROOK–More nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations will be held locally on Saturday, including one in Old Saybrook.
The Old Saybrook event will take place at the Town Hall from 10 to 11 a.m.
A Niantic ‘pop-up’ event was added late yesterday. It will be held on the Town Green from 3 to 5 p.m.
The “No Kings” theme was organized by the 50501 Movement, according to the Associated Press. The grassroots national group has spearheaded numerous protests this year against what they describe as the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
“No Kings” organizers across the country have said nonviolent action is a core principle of the movement since the first “Nationwide Day of Defiance” in June to counter a military parade scheduled the same day by President Donald J. Trump’s birthday.
“Now, President Trump has doubled down,” organizers said on their website. “His administration is sending masked agents into our streets, terrorizing our communities. They are targeting immigrant families, profiling, arresting and detaining people without warrants. Threatening to overtake elections. Gutting healthcare, environmental protections, and education when families need them most. Rigging maps to silence voters. Ignoring mass shootings at our schools and in our communities. Driving up the cost of living while handing out massive giveaways to billionaire allies, as families struggle.”
Several other rallies are planned nearby, including:
New London: Parade Plaza, State Street and S. Water Street, 10 a.m. to noon.
Norwich: City Hall, 11 a.m. to noon; Norwichtown Green, 2 to 4 p.m.
More information, including additional locations for Saturday’s protest, can be found at www.nokings.org.