Protesters throughout the Southern Tier will participate in a national day of action on June 14 called “No Kings.” Multiple organizers in the region are coordinating events.
The protests are a response to what some national organizations are calling “authoritarian actions” by the Trump administration since taking office for a second term in January.
Pro-democracy groups Indivisible and 50501 along with their local chapters across the country, said threats to free speech, due process, and the detainment of political opponents are driving the protests.
“President Trump is not acting as a president, and he's acting more like a dictator, in that we don't have the three branches of government checking his power and he's doing a lot of things that are not legal according to the Constitution,” said Binghamton Indivisible co-founder Linda Quilty. “So the big objection is exactly that, that we have a constitution that should be followed, and we don't want a dictator.”
Indivisible group organizers in Binghamton said they expect a large turnout of up to a thousand attendees at their rally.
Rallies are happening the same day as a planned military parade in Washington D.C. The parade coincides with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It is also Flag Day and President Donald Trump's birthday.
“It’s scary as hell and people should really be having a chill up their spine about what is about to happen,” said Colleen Boland, U.S. Army and Airforce veteran, political activist and member of Citizens for a Better Southern Tier.
Citizens for A Better Southern Tier and Indivisible Corning-Elmira will participate with a “No Kings” sign as a silent protest during the city of Corning’s local Pride celebration. The letters will be painted in the colors of the Pride flag in support of the LGBTQ community.
“We are a nation that does not make room for a king or an authoritarian and or fascism. And that is what is happening right now,” said Boland, speaking to the deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, California this week.
“We as Americans and citizens who care and are paying attention need to be able to stand up and say, not here, not now, not ever. No kings in America,” continued Boland.
Organizers with 50501 Twin Tiers will hold a rally in Horseheads at Memorial Park.
“America has a long history of standing against kings and this protest is no different,” said organizers for 50501 Twin Tiers. “Donald Trump is a threat to our democracy and Patriots all across the United States will stand against tyranny and corruption.”
The 50501 group stated on its website that it is committed to non-violence as a core principle for the “No Kings” events.
“We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events,” the group’s statement reads.
The organization also stated that no weapons should be brought to the events.
Tompkins County’s Indivisible Chapter has planned a protest in Ithaca. Groups in Owego and Bath have events planned as well.