Thousands expected Saturday at No Kings protest in Columbia

Thousands of people from across the Palmetto State are expected at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Statehouse for what is expected to be part of the nation’s largest organized protest in history.

A coalition of civil rights groups is pulling together millions of participants in more than 2,500 events in each state, Europe and Canada.

South Carolina organizers want people to rally at the Statehouse and then march 1.3 miles to the governor’s mansion.

The nationwide protests coincide with an ongoing government shutdown, threatening federal workers and services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in several U.S. cities and the Trump administration’s musings about invoking the Insurrection Act to quash political dissent.

“We are under an authoritarian regime right now in the United States,” said Charleston County Democratic Party Chair Pastor Thomas Dixon. “But there are people who really want to preserve democracy.

“I don’t want a different form of government,” he added. “I’m very good with democracy, even though it hasn’t necessarily treated people of color in the best way. I believe our government is one that is designed to work for everyone when effectively applied.”

The massive protest follows the successful No Kings rallies that took place in June.

“The first version was very successful,” Indivisible Charleston organizer Kristy Kinney said. “It was the largest protest in American history, and it was organized by ordinary folks who wanted to show our dissent to this blatant authoritarianism.

“We’re witnessing people who were born here be kidnapped by masked thugs with no accountability, and they’re filming it all,” she added. “It’s so beyond the pale that people are ready to have our voices heard and to gather and celebrate the freedoms that we have.”

Smaller rallies planned

Two other rallies are scheduled near Charleston for those unable to make it to Columbia. Protesters will gather in Summerville from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dorchester County offices at 500 N. Main St. Another protest will be held in North Charleston from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 5201 Ashley Phosphate Road.

Dixon said will attend both local protests.

“The larger protest in Columbia — the optics are always better,” Dixon said. “But I am one who believes that organizing needs to begin at the local level.

“One of the problems we see happening, especially under this authoritarian regime, is that these people are bullies,” he added. “And one way that bullies continue to thrive is that they don’t get any pushback. When we gather for these protests, big and small, we’re showing the bullies that we’re not going to be pushed around. We are going to stand up. We’re going to say something.”

According to an Oct. 14 press release, the rally in North Charleston is specifically in response to S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson’s June claim that No Kings protesters and “outside instigators” were threatening to bring violence and chaos to our communities.”

The release said protest organizers dismissed Wilson’s claims and filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking the factual basis for his claims. The documents they received had no mention of “outside agitators,” “violence” or “chaos” — and one explicitly stated that there was “no current or verifiable intelligence” that would warrant such claims.

“The attorney general of South Carolina intentionally used his office to spread fear and division, with no evidence to back it up,” S.C. attorney Gustave “Tree” Martschink, the person who submitted the FOIA request, said in a press release. “Alan Wilson’s behavior was a dangerous and calculated attempt to intimidate peaceful protesters and poison public discourse.”

Stay safe while protesting

Kinney said she understands many people who want to join the protests are fearful of law enforcement. Officers, however, will be present at the Columbia protest, Kinney said, mostly to protect attendants from counter-protesters.

“Just like Donald Trump, these people want you to get mad, throw something, throw a punch,” she said. “By remaining calm, disengaging and just ignoring them, we will be more effective. … We are a nonviolent, peaceful organization.”

Kinney added that Indivisible Charleston encourages people to peacefully comply with any and all commands given by law enforcement during the protest.

Dixon agreed, saying peaceful protests were one of the things that made the civil rights movement successful. He pointed to more modern forms of peaceful protest as great examples, including Portland protesters dressed in costumes, dancing and riding hoverboards during small rallies.

“This stands against the picture that has been painted of hostile protesters in the street, which is meant to trigger unfair responses from law enforcement and those who may want to do us harm,” Dixon said. “The key is always to not engage. Do not interact. Do not let these people get under your skin. Continue to stay focused on the reason you are out. Nonviolent protest is the only means to success.”

What to do if you’re arrested or detained

The American Civil Liberties Union has several lists that remind protesters of legal rights as well as give advice for avoiding more dangerous interactions with law enforcement:

Do not argue, resist or obstruct the police, even if they are violating your rights.
If you are under arrest, you have a right to ask why. Otherwise, say you wish to remain silent, and ask for a lawyer immediately.
You have the right to make a local phone call. Police are not allowed to listen.
You do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings. Police may “pat down” your clothing if they suspect you have a weapon and may search you after an arrest.
If you believe your rights have been violated, write down everything you can remember, get contact information for witnesses, photograph any injuries and file a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.

More: aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights.