Grace Monos
Audio By Carbonatix
Fall is here, and so is the decline of American democracy.
Across the country, masked federal law enforcement officers — ostensibly sent into major cities by the Trump administration to round up undocumented immigrants — have harassed and violently arrested American citizens and journalists for unfounded reasons. One video out of Chicago even shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arresting a woman after they hit her car and considered driving away, only to decide to draw guns on her and drag her out of her vehicle.
These developments have occurred just as grassroots organizers have scheduled another large nationwide demonstration against the increasingly authoritarian Trump administration. The protest is a sequel to June’s “No Kings Day,” which saw a massive turnout in Phoenix and across the nation.
“Trump is pouring public money into his authoritarian takeovers of cities — deploying federal forces, seizing local police departments, and funding mass detention and deportation operations — while cutting services that working families rely on every single day,” said Meagan O’Connor, leader of protest co-organizer Mesa Valley Indivisible, in a press release. “Our peaceful day of action is going to send a message: We don’t do kings in America.”
During the last “No Kings” demonstrations, the scene was set against Trump’s decision to throw himself a birthday parade with soldiers and tanks in Washington, D.C. The crowd was enormous at the Arizona Capitol, where thousands braved the 100-degree weather to make a statement against the president’s overreaches of power. Organizers said that across the country, more than five million people joined the protests in the largest single-day demonstration against the rising wave of authoritarianism. An independent data journalist put the estimated total at around six million protesters.
“No Kings” organizers expect another large turnout this time, saying millions of people will take to the streets. More than 2,200 protest events are planned across the nation, nonprofit and organizer Indivisible said in a post. That includes dozens of events in the Valley and many more across Arizona.
Here’s what you should know about Saturday’s protests.
When and where is the Phoenix ‘No Kings’ protest?
The largest protest and rally is expected to be at the Arizona Capitol near downtown Phoenix, located at 1700 W. Washington St. It’s planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., though some recent protests have lasted longer than the official scheduled times.
There are several other, smaller events being held around the Valley on Saturday, which can all be found on the ”No Kings” website’s map tool. They include:
- Tempe: Cole Park, 8-10 a.m.
- Mesa: Val Vista Drive and Baseline Road, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Scottsdale: PF Chang’s Plaza, 9-11 a.m.
- Goodyear: Location provided upon RSVP, 8:30-10 a.m.
- Glendale: 51st Avenue and West Bell Road, 9-10:30 a.m.
- Peoria: 7613 West Bell Road, 9-11 a.m.
- Buckeye: Watson Road and Yuma Road, 9:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Sun City: North 99th Avenue and Bell Road, 9-11 a.m.
- Apache Junction: Apache Junction City Marker, 7-9 a.m.
There will also be protests across the state in cities like Flagstaff, Sedona, Nogales, Tucson, Show Low, Bullhead City and Globe.
How can I get involved in the Phoenix ‘No Kings’ protest?
You can RSVP to the protest by looking at the map, selecting a specific protest and signing up for updates. You can also send questions to info@nokings.org. The website also offers resources for anyone interested in signing up to host their own protest event.
Who is organizing the protest?
Hundreds of grassroots organizations are working together on the day of action, including Indivisible, the 50501 movement, the ACLU, the American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, the League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen and SEIU, among many others.
What should I know before I go?
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 80 degrees in Phoenix, making Saturday a great day for exercising First Amendment rights.
Still, it’s recommended to bring plenty of water, as well as sunscreen and shade, like an umbrella or baseball cap for events during the day. It’s also wise to stay on public sidewalks to avoid issues with local businesses or police over trespassing laws.
For those protesting at the Capitol, protesting and other organizing activities must be conducted between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. Here are other notable Capitol regulations:
- Protesters must also keep 10 feet away from all buildings and minimize damage to state property.
- To amplify sound, an event application must be submitted 10 days prior, otherwise “volume must be reduced to a reasonable level.” An event application is not required if no sound will be amplified.
- Equipment, including banners and signs, may not be staked into the ground or otherwise affixed to landscapes, sidewalks or buildings.
