Thousands are gearing up to participate in the No Kings Day protest in Jacksonville on October 18th, voicing their opposition to what they view as authoritarian tendencies within the Trump administration.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The upcoming No Kings Day protest is projected to become one of the largest nationwide demonstrations since President Trump assumed office.
Across the nation, there are plans for over 2,500 marches and rallies, with several events scheduled to take place in northeast Florida.
In Jacksonville, protesters are expected to fill every corner of the city on Saturday, October 18th, joining the No Kings Day protest.
This day of peaceful nationwide action aims to address what organizers describe as “increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption” from the Trump administration.
Tyra Smude, from Indivisible Jax Riverside—a nonpartisan organization committed to promoting democracy—shared with First Coast News that caravans from the Northside, Beaches, Mandarin, and Riverside will converge at the Friendship Fountain downtown.
“We’re trying to underscore that in America we have no kings and we’re also trying to underscore that we still. so far we live in a democracy where we still have the ability to have freedom of speech,” said Smude.
From Friendship Fountain, protestors will march to the Duval County Courthouse, where speakers address the masses.
“We’re not agreeing with our taxes being used for ICE to take down folks,” she said, “We’re not agreeing with so many things of this authoritarian president, so we’re saying that we’re saying it in a peaceful way in a nonviolent way.”
Despite political differences, the Duval County Republican party said it supports the right to protest. In statement sent to First Coast News:
“The Republican Party of Duval County is not planning on going out and doing an anti-protest. We believe in free speech, we believe in the first amendment, and if people want to protest then it’s their right and their prerogative.”
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office sent a statement to First Coast News confirming that they’re aware of the plane and are devoted to safety:
“JSO is aware of the plans and is devoting resources to make sure that everyone is safe. We respect the constitutional right to protest peacefully and remind everyone that if they see something suspicious, they should report it immediately.”
