‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protests planned in Stanislaus County. Here’s when & where
Protesters will gather across the country — including in Stanislaus County — for a new wave of “No Kings Day” demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies.
Building on earlier rallies held in June, the upcoming No Kings Day aims to unite millions of Americans in nonviolent protests against what organizers call Trump’s “authoritarian actions and power grabs.”
“As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the No Kings nonviolent movement continues to rise stronger,” No Kings organizers said in a news release on Saturday, Oct. 11. “We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power belongs to the people.”
Here’s when and where No Kings events are scheduled in Stanislaus County:
What is No Kings Day?
Organizers describe No Kings as a “nationwide day of defiance.”
“From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like,” organizers said on the official No Kings website.
Several political organizations — including the American Civil Liberties Union and Stand Up America — are joining forces on Saturday, Oct. 18, “to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings,” the site said.
Why are people protesting President Trump?
Demonstrators will gather on Saturday, Oct. 18, to protest “violent authoritarian attacks” on American freedoms, organizers said, including a crackdown on immigration and the deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles, Chicago and other U.S. cities.
“Since taking office, (Trump) has tried to erode our freedoms and amass power for himself, censoring history, undermining our voting rights, defying the rule of law, and stripping people of basic rights simply because of who they are or who they love,” Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in the release.
Organizers said more than 2,500 protests and rallies are planned across all 50 states, putting the nationwide event on track to surpass the No Kings demonstrations in June, which drew more than 5 million participants nationwide.
When and where are No Kings events planned in Stanislaus County?
Two No Kings demonstrations are planned in Stanislaus County on Saturday, Oct. 18.
In Modesto, protesters will gather at Standiford Park, 401 Tokay Ave., from noon to 3 p.m.
A separate No Kings rally will be held in Turlock at the intersection of Countryside Drive and West Monte Vista Avenue from 1 to 3 p.m.
What are my rights as a protester in California?
“The First Amendment and the California Constitution protects your right to expressive speech,” Chessie Thacher, a senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, previously told The Sacramento Bee.
“That means that you have the right to say what you want to say, but with exceptions,” Thacher said.
These exceptions include true threats, defamation, harassment and obscenities.
If you’re in a public space, you have the right to take photos or videos of anything you can see.
Are counterprotests allowed?
According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, those who show up to protest a protest also have rights.
“Police must treat protesters and counterprotesters equally,” the organization said.
Police are allowed to keep opposing groups apart to prevent conflict, but both sides still have the right to be within sight and hearing distance of each other.
When can police interfere with protests?
When protesters fail to comply with legal restrictions, such as evoking violence, law enforcement can intervene, the ACLU website says.
“Civil disobedience is a public, nonviolent, conscientious yet political act contrary to law, usually aimed at bringing about a change of the law or government policy,” as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice.
However, “civil disobedience is not protected speech under the Constitution,” according to the University of California, Los Angeles Police Department.
An act of civil disobedience includes sitting on a public road to block traffic. It can be a successful tool in non-violent action, experts say.
What can I do if my rights were violated?
Here’s what the ACLU website says to do if you feel your rights have been violated during a protest:
- Write down everything you can remember, including officers’ badge numbers and what agency they work for.
- Get contact information from any witnesses.
- Take pictures.
“Once you have all of this information, you can file a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board,” the American Civil Liberties Union said.
