Updated: Urbana to host two 'NO KINGS' protests on June 14

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Urbana will host a "NO KINGS" on June 14, part of a national day of protest against authoritarianism. Organizers say the protests aim to defend democratic values on Flag Day.

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Editor's Note: We just learned there will be only one rally on June 14 in Urbana, starting at 4pm. Originally, this story, as left intact below, noted there would be two separate protests.

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URBANA - Two “NO KINGS” rallies are planned in Urbana on June 14, Flag Day, as part of a nationwide protest timed to coincide with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.

Photo: Vivien/Pixabay

The first rally will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Meadowbrook Park, 2808 S. Race St., and is one of more than a dozen events scheduled in downstate Illinois to denounce what organizers describe as a growing threat of authoritarianism in American politics.

“In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings,” reads the event description. “NO KINGS is a national day of action in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies.”

The day of action continues from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Champaign County Courthouse in downtown Urbana. That protest is organized by Champaign County Indivisible, 50501 Illinois, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation - Central Illinois. Organizers are encouraging participants to bring signs, water, and a shared commitment to democratic values.

“Bring a desire to maintain our democracy,” reads the event post. “We already fought one war to oust a king. The United States does NOT HAVE A KING!!”

After the courthouse protest, a free community dinner will be served at 6 p.m. at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center in Lincoln Square Mall, sponsored by the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

June 14 holds multiple historical ties. It is officially recognized as Flag Day in the United States, commemorating the adoption of the national flag in 1777. The date also marks the death of Revolutionary War traitor Benedict Arnold, 224 years ago. Despite President Trump’s participation in Army birthday celebrations in Washington, which will include a parade and fireworks, the Army told Reuters it has no official plans to recognize the president’s birthday during the observance.

Organizers of the NO KINGS events say they are responding to what they view as attacks on free speech, judicial independence, and democratic institutions. The coordinated rallies seek to affirm public opposition to executive overreach and political repression.

Here is a list of additional NO KINGS protest in downstate:

• NO KINGS Quad Cities IL/IA
  Schwiebert Riverfront Park, 101 17th St, Rock Island, IL
  June 14, 1 PM - 3 PM CDT
  Hosted by Indivisible QC https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/790829/


• NO KINGS Macomb, Illinois
  Macomb, IL
  June 14
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/786088/


• NO KINGS Ottawa, IL
  Ottawa, IL
  June 14
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/790175/


• NO KINGS Yorkville
  North Bridge Street N Bridge St, Yorkville, IL
  June 14 11AM – 3PM
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/792577/


• NO KINGS Springfield, IL
  401 S 2nd St, Springfield, IL
  June 14 11AM – 3PM
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/792965/


• NO KINGS Bloomington, IL
  600 N East St, Bloomington, IL
  June 14 12PM – 1PM
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/793601/


• NO KINGS Ogle County
  Ogle County Circuit Clerk, 106 S 5th St, Oregon, IL
  June 14, 3 PM - 5 PM CDT
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/791484/


• NO KINGS MASS PROTEST: ST LOUIS MARCH for DEMOCRACY
  Kiener Plaza, Downtown St. Louis, MO
  June 14, 2 PM - 5 PM CDT
  Hosted by 50501 and Show Me Action https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/793460/


• NO KINGS - South County St. Louis
  Intersection of S. Lindbergh and Baptist Church, 5330 S Lindbergh Blvd, Sappington, MO
  June 14, 11 AM - 1 PM CDT
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/784867/


• NO KINGS : Southern Illinois
  Carbondale Civic Center, 200 N Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL
  June 14, 1 PM - 3 PM CDT
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/787389/


• NO KINGS Cape Girardeau
  Cape Girardeau, MO
  June 14
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/786583/


• NO KINGS Macoupin County Courthouse - Carlinville, IL
  Macoupin County Courthouse, 201 E Main St, Carlinville, IL 62626
  June 14 2PM – 4PM
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/793360/


• NO KINGS Belleville, IL
  Downtown Belleville around the Square Fountain, 10 Public Square,
  Belleville, IL 62220
  June 14 2PM – 4PM
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/789609/


• Alton People's United Lovejoy Monument, 1205 E 5th St, Alton, IL 62002
  June 14 10AM – 12PM
  Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/791555/

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