‘No Kings’ rally outside Bulloch County Courthouse, 10 a.m.-12 noon Saturday

Locals are shown gathered at the Bulloch County Courthouse April 19, to protest actions and policies of President Donald Trump and his administration. A “No Kings” rally, again to protest the actions of the Trump administration, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Courthouse. - photo by AL HACKLE/Herald file

A coalition of a local organizers is hosting a “No Kings” rally, 10 a.m. until 12 noon Saturday, June 14, on the Bulloch County Courthouse grounds. The Associated Press reported that people opposed to policies and actions of President Donald Trump’s administration had scheduled “No Kings Day” demonstrations for Saturday at nearly 2,000 locations across the country.

The No Kings Day theme has been promoted nationally by the 50501 Movement, whose name is short for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.” This organization first called for protests held on Feb. 5, and a gathering specifically called a 50501 demonstration was held April 19, also on the Courthouse Square in Statesboro. That was actually the fifth similar local protest held there on Saturdays this year. Others were aimed at showing support for immigrants or women’s rights or, like this one, opposition to administration policies that protestors see as unconstitutional expansions of presidential power.

All have been peaceful.

That national website asserts, “50501 is a peaceful movement. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated.”

Local organizers are also emphasizing this.

A flier appearing on the Bulloch County Democratic Party’s social media states: “This is a peaceful protest, with a permit approved by our local Sheriff’s Office. While it is a right to protest, it is a privilege to protest on government property. Being respectful to law enforcement, public property and to each other is of top priority.”

Both the county party and Bulloch County Young Democrats have promoted the event, but their leaders say that it is not partisan. Church groups and volunteers from other, not necessarily political, groups took part in previous demonstrations.

Organizers obtained a permit from the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office because the courthouse, although in the middle of Statesboro, is county property, and Sheriff Noel Brown then contacted a lead organizer for assurances, that organizer said. They also requested a Statesboro Police Department presence, and SPD Chief Mike Broadhead, in a Savannah TV news segment, said police will be active to support citizens’ right to peaceful protest.

Organizers are encouraging people who want to participate to bring water, sunscreen and flags, especially American flags.

The “No Kings” demonstrations are timed to coincide with Flag Day, which this year is the day of a military parade in Washington, D.C. marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army. It’s also Trump’s birthday; he’s 79.