Second ‘No Kings’ protests happening Saturday around Mid-Missouri
Alison Patton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Protesters plan to gather across Mid-Missouri as part of the national “No Kings” protest in opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration.
This is the second such protest in Columbia, with the first taking place in June.
Mid-Missouri Peaceworks will gather at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Boone County Courthouse. Organizers are expecting about 200 people to attend, according to documents filed with the county.
Peacework’s Sustainability Coordinator Laura Wacker said in an interview Friday afternoon, there could 1,000-3,000 people in attendance, but it all depends on the weather.
The organization plans to have 10 trained volunteers to help with security.
“In the unlikely event that we need to evacuate the area, we would simply encourage participants to walk away in an orderly fashion, and would assist any with mobility issues,” Peaceworks wrote.
Cpt. Brian Leer, of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, said the last protest was peaceful and he hopes Saturday’s will be the same.
“We don’t have any intel that leads us to anticipate there will be any problems at the event,” Leer wrote in an email. “We understand there is always a possibility that an incident could occur, so we will monitor the event and have personnel on standby to respond if needed.”
Some Facebook posts suggested counter-protesting could occur. Wacker said they’re welcome to use their First Amendment right at the No Kings protest.
“We’re not going to shut anyone down for speaking against things that we necessarily might not believe in, but everyone in America should be heard,” Wacker said.
Boone County Republican Central Committee Chair Lisa Gore wrote that county Republican’s don’t plan on counter-protesting. MU’s chapter of Turning Point USA also stated it would not stage a counter protest.
According to a press release from We Stand United, Missouri has nearly 50 peaceful protests planned and more than 2,200 events nationwide.
People are also gathering at the Capitol in Jefferson City on Saturday, starting at noon. State Rep. Elizabeth Fuchs (D-St. Louis) plans to give a speech.
Protests are also happening at the Boonville County Courthouse and Fulton City Hall, both start at 11 a.m.