Cities across the state are preparing for the No Kings second “Nationwide Day of Defiance” scheduled for tomorrow.
Grassroot organizers planned over 2,500 peaceful protests across the country. Local activists organized rallies across multiple cities in Southwest Florida, including Naples, Sanibel and Port Charlotte. Their goals ranged from upholding First Amendment rights to pushing for government accountability.
However, local and national organizers emphasized the movement aims to make clear that America has no kings, including President Donald Trump after he made a post on Truth Social which was quoted on the official White House X account.
Indivisible is a non-profit responsible for organizing the nationwide protests and co-founder and co-Executive Director Ezra expects a larger turnout compared to the “No Kings” on June 14.
“We are looking at the largest protest in modern American history on Oct. 18,” Levin said, according to NBC News.
WINK News reached out to local authorities for comment about how they’re preparing for the events.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said in a statement they would "remain vigilant and will increase patrols to ensure the safety and security of those participating in the protest as well as the general public." They also said they would be working with local law enforcement during the events.
Further south, Collier County Sheriff’s Office said they “have plans in place to allow protesters’ right to peaceful protest while also protecting our community.” CCSO also provided a document with guidelines for conducting peaceful demonstrations, including not blocking the flow of traffic.
Moving west from the mainland, Sanibel Police recognized the constitutional rights for peaceful assembly and free expression, and their goal is to ensure the safety of the community and its participants while minimizing “any disruption to the community.”
“We ask that all attendees and residents exercise patience, understanding, and mutual respect during the demonstration. The Sanibel Police Department remains committed to protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of all who live, work, and visit our community," SPD Deputy Chief Anthony Thompson said.
For those interested in attending, events will be held at various times tomorrow. Their official start times and locations can be found on the No Kings website.
More information about public demonstrations and protesters’ rights can be found on ALCU Florida’s website.