Special to IFN

Residents of the Catawba Valley area will join with millions of Americans across the country on Saturday, October 18, in a nationwide day of nonviolent protest at the second No Kings Day of Action.

The protest in Newton, organized by the Indivisible Citizens of Catawba Valley (ICCV), is one of thousands of No Kings events scheduled across the country for that date.

The ICCV protest will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton.

“While President Trump continues to act like a dictator, we are standing up again to push back against his administration’s hateful, harmful, and authoritarian actions,” said ICCV Chair Deb Johnson. “Our peaceful day of action will bring together people from all walks of life who share a simple message: No kings in America.”

The program will be kicked off by Rev. Joel Simpson of Taylorsville’s First United Methodist Church and Rev. Darryl Dayson of Charlotte’s South Tryon United Methodist Church.

Both pastors help lead Moral Mondays in NC and are active with the NC Poor People’s Campaign. Simpson was one of five people arrested in early May for praying in the U.S. Capitol as part of a Moral Mondays demonstration against the proposed federal budget.

The opening speakers will be followed by remarks from two area high school seniors who will give the youth perspective on what is happening and how current events affect their plans for the future. Next, retired WFAE education reporter Ann Doss Helms will speak about the First Amendment and the vital importance of a free press.

“We’ll cap our program with an activity that will demonstrate how the Trump administration’s harsh authoritarian practices and policies are affecting so many of us and our families,” Johnson said. “Our program will conclude with a call to action from the dynamic Rev. Gavin Gabriel.”

Rev. Gabriel is pastor of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Mooresville.

ICCV shares with other No Kings organizers a commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers, trained in de-escalation, work closely with local partners, notably law enforcement, to ensure peaceful and powerful actions.

ICCV is also committed to mutual aid and helping neighbors in need. At each event, attendees are encouraged to donate items needed in the community. For the October 18 protest, ICCV encourages attendees to bring new men’s, women’s, and/or children’s socks.