Several protests are planned across central Wisconsin on Saturday, Oct. 18 to continue advocacy against the weakening of separation of powers in the United States’ federal government.
The protests, referred to nationally as the second “No Kings” event, aim to call attention to perceived oversteps of President Donald Trump’s authority regarding deployment of National Guard soldiers in major U.S. cities, haphazard detainment of U.S. residents, hidden identities of individuals acting as law enforcement, unilateral cuts to funding for congressionally approved programs, redrawing of congressional districts for political ends, rising cost of living, and more, according to the No Kings website.
“(No Kings) is a peaceful national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration,” according to the No Kings website. “President Trump thinks his rule is absolute, but in America, we don’t do ‘kings.’”
A previous “No Kings” rally was held June 14 on a day that also coincided with the U.S. holiday known as Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Army and President Trump’s birthday. The nationwide event drew more than five million protestors to over 2,100 locations across the country, according to a June 14 news release from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a co-organizer of the event.
Organizers of the June event included over 200 organizations ranging between long-standing activism groups like the ACLU, MoveOn, Indivisible and the Human Rights Campaign, and unions and other grassroots organizations, according to the No Kings website. Over 2,500 protest events nationwide are expected in the second iteration of the event.
The Oct. 18 event comes amid a federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 with no clear signs of reopening soon.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said Oct. 10 in a FOX NEWS interview that the planned No Kings protest was the reason for the continued shutdown.
“The theory we have right now (is) they have a hate America rally that’s scheduled for Oct. 18 on the National Mall,” Johnson said. “It’s being told to us that they won’t be able to reopen the government until after that rally because they can’t face their rabid base.”
No Kings events are committed to “nonviolent action and no civil disobedience,” according to the website. Participants are expected to de-escalate confrontations and act lawfully. Weapons of any kind should not be brought to the events, which are held on public property.
Here’s where the Oct. 18 protests are planned to be held in central Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Rapids
10 a.m. to noon Oct. 18 on Third Street South and East Riverview Expressway across from Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids Hospital. The event in Wisconsin Rapids is organized by Rapids Response, according to the Wood County Democratic Party’s Facebook page. Organizers reiterate that it is a peaceful protest and by showing up attendees “can help maximize the presence of this movement.”
Stevens Point
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 on Clark Street and Church Street between Division Street and Strongs Avenue. The weekly 11 a.m. Saturday protest on Main Street in front of the post office will move to Clark Street for the Oct. 18 event, according to event organizers.
Wausau
Noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 on Rib Mountain Drive between Starling and Parrot lanes. Attendees are asked to park legally on side streets and not in parking lots of businesses, according to the event listing. Carpooling is encouraged.
Marshfield
1-3 p.m. Oct. 18 from Wenzel Plaza to Veterans Parkway. The event in Marshfield is organized by We the People of Marshfield, according to the Wood County Democratic Party’s Facebook page. Organizers say the listing on the No Kings website has incorrect times and location and reiterate that it is a peaceful protest and by showing up attendees “can help maximize the presence of this movement.”
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: ‘No Kings’ protests planned Oct. 18 in central Wisconsin. Here’s what to know.
Reporting by Erik Pfantz, Wausau Daily Herald / Wausau Daily Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
