With the growing authoritarianism and numerous troubling actions taken by President Donald Trump, many people across the country have had enough. In protest, large groups are planning to join an anti-Trump rally this Saturday, June 14, which also happens to be the president’s birthday. The movement is being organized under the name “No Kings.” Among the participants are residents of the town of Parker, Colorado. However, the town itself has pushed back against the movement, citing a conflict with the annual Parker Days festival. Officials claimed that both events could not take place at the same time and insisted that one had to be canceled. Unsurprisingly, they chose to cancel the No Kings rally.
Organizers of the anti-Trump rally strongly disagreed, saying that this decision violated their First Amendment rights. One of the most determined voices behind the protest is Carolyn Williamson. She came up with the idea to hold a rally in Parker after hearing that similar protests were being planned across the country. Williamson has not hidden her criticism of Trump, calling him a terrifying, evil king. She argued that despite Trump’s repeated claims of loving the Constitution, his actions show he only respects the parts that suit his personal agenda. For Williamson, it is important for a town like Parker to speak up and show that people with white privilege have a responsibility to stand for those who cannot.
Unfortunately, organizing the anti-Trump rally turned out to be much harder than expected. Williamson originally planned a large gathering with over 100 attendees, but was told that such an event would require a permit. The town said that no permits would be granted during Parker Days. She then considered breaking the protest into smaller groups posted at different intersections, each with fewer people. However, the police chief informed her that the event still had to be canceled, claiming the town lacked the resources to ensure everyone’s safety on that day.
Town officials offered her an alternative date for the rally, but Williamson turned it down. This was not because she was being stubborn. At first, she was willing to go along with the idea. But many of the people who had signed up for the protest reached out to her and said they would attend on June 14 regardless of whether she officially canceled. Because of that, and despite the town’s objections, Williamson chose to go forward with the anti-Trump rally by organizing it block-by-block along Parker Road.
To avoid clashing with Parker Days, the protesters will steer clear of Mainstreet. Instead, they will be positioned between Lincoln Avenue and Hess Road. The goal is to make their message heard while still respecting the space set aside for the town’s annual celebration. In doing so, they hope to exercise their right to peaceful protest and stand up for what they believe in.
Many internet users voiced support for Williamson, praising her determination to hold the anti-Trump rally as principled and courageous. One Reddit user put it bluntly: “These idiots think we need a permit to protest. Do they even know what ‘protest’ means? Ever heard of the First Amendment?”
