Local ‘No Kings’ rally is Saturday in Cheraw

On Saturday, Cheraw will be one of thousands of No Kings rallies held across the nation, as people gather to make their voices heard on issues they say are impacting democracy at every level.
It will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the intersection of Chesterfield Highway and West Market Street.
A No Kings rally is meant as a peaceful protest of certain actions of the Trump administration.
Organizers are encouraging people to simply show up, bring signs and peacefully express their concerns.
Bruce Wallace, one of the event’s organizers, said the effort is rooted in a desire to ensure smaller communities like Cheraw are part of the broader national conversation.
“My belief in democracy, wanting to protect democracy, and for it to be local,” he said. “People expect protests in Columbia and all, but I think it’s important to have it local. That people see things going on locally, not somewhere else.”
While early registration numbers for the event remain modest, around a dozen participants, Wallace hopes the turnout will exceed those figures as many people may attend without formally signing up.
“I actually expect there will be more people than that,” Bruce said, noting that many will simply mark the event on their calendars and show up.
Organizers said the Cheraw rally will be part of the biggest protest in the nation’s history, with more than 3,000 events nationwide and 27 events in SC.   More information about the 50501 Movement and “No Kings” events is available at https://www.fiftyfifty.one/
Unlike structured rallies, the Cheraw march will not feature a formal program. Instead, participants are encouraged to bring their own perspectives and messages.
“Everybody has different things they object to,” Bruce said. “There will be people who object to the war that’s going on. Whatever your grievance, bring it on out. And we’re going to go forth with it with love.”
Organizers say the local march is also about challenging assumptions that political engagement is limited to larger, more urban areas.
“A lot of people say, ‘well, that’s just them liberals over in the big cities,’” said Wallace. “People here are concerned about those things, too. We need to let everybody know that there are people here who are concerned about what’s going on.”
More information or to register for the event is available at https://share.google/D5kjkiGnwj68DUYYE