Residents of The Villages and surrounding communities will “Stand Up for Democracy” at two roadside sign-holding rallies as part of the No Kings 2.0 movement. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to protest in local rallies nationwide.
Two concurrent rallies will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, in The Villages. The northern rally will be held on Morse Boulevard between Old Mill Run and Stillwater Trail near Lake Sumter Landing. The southern rally will be held at the intersection of Warm Springs Avenue and Marsh Bend Trail near the Everglades Recreation Center.
“In light of the tragic murder of podcaster Charlie Kirk, former Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and far too many school children, we feel the need to speak up now,” said John McCarey of the Village of Dunedin.
“Violence has no place in our politics or in our communities. Ever,” McCarey added. He and his wife Karla are members of The Democratic Club of The Villages Rally Committee.
Both rallies are golf cart accessible. Participants are asked to decorate their golf carts with patriotic paraphernalia and to bring their own posters. Some posters will be available to borrow at both sites. Anyone driving a car should park only in shared Villages parking spaces (public lots in Lake Sumter Landing, Everglades Rec Center), not in commercial parking lots.
“The cost of living is rising. Masked agents are violating individuals’ rights. Services for the elderly, families and the military are being cut. Our right to free speech is being hindered,” said Deb Krase of the Village of Collier and a member of the Rally Committee. “My husband and I decided we will not stand by in silence. Freedom is in our DNA. We choose to stand up for democracy,” Krase added.
In June, the No Kings movement began when millions of Americans peacefully participated in nationwide demonstrations, opposing the authoritarian consolidation of power in our democracy. No Kings 2.0 builds on this nonviolent protest movement, reiterating that power in a democracy belongs to the people, not to any single leader, according to organizers.
More information about No Kings 2.0 is available at https://NoKings.org.