Special to IFN
A grassroots coalition of concerned citizens will gather for the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, at 11 a.m.
The protest will be held in front of the Statesville Civic Center at the intersection of East Front Street and South Center Street in Downtown Statesville. The event aims to spotlight growing public frustration with unchecked power, growing authoritarianism, and the erosion of basic freedoms and government services, organizers said in a news release.
Organized by a group of local residents, the protest will feature a series speakers representing diverse community voices. These individuals will share personal stories and perspectives about how current economic and political systems are impacting everyday citizens.
A highlight of the event will be an address by Ashley Bell, a Democratic candidate for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District in 2026. Bell will speak on the urgent need for leadership that prioritizes the needs of the many over the profits of a few, offering her vision for a more equitable future for Iredell County and beyond. The seat is currently held by Republican Pat Harrigan.
“Our ‘No Kings’ event is a direct response to the feeling that our voices are being ignored and our economic security is being undermined,” said Peggy Palmer, a local organizer and Statesville resident. “We believe that power has become too concentrated and corrupt, all to benefit Trump and his allies. It’s time to remind our elected officials that they serve the people, not the other way around. In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings. This protest is about reclaiming our collective power and demanding accountability.”
The protest is open to the public and encourages participation from all who feel impacted by the rising cost of living, stagnant wages, corporate tax loopholes, and a political system perceived as unresponsive to the needs of its constituents. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs expressing their concerns and solidarity.
You should be very cautious when protesting against the current government administration. Trump will come down very hard on dissenters.
Thank you for your concern — and you raise an important point, though perhaps not in the way you intended. In my lifetime, I’ve never seen a moment where people feel the need to warn others that peacefully protesting might bring government retaliation. The fact that such a warning even seems reasonable is exactly why this rally matters. A healthy democracy must always allow space for dissent, and when people become afraid to speak up, that’s precisely when speaking up becomes most necessary.
We don’t live in a democracy, and I’ve never seen a presidential administration descend on a small protest of individuals that are only worried about one individual (the President).
This!
Excellent reply!
Your comment speaks volumes about the need to speak up. Thanks for commenting.
ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU ON “NO KINGS!?!” “WE THE PEOPLE” HAVE HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH OF “KING OBAMA” AND YOUR WHOLE DEMON-RAT PARTY WHO IS (OR WAS) SERIOUSLY TRYING TO DESTROY THE USA, ALL IN THE NAME OF *DIVERSITY & INCLUSION!”
Read a book dude.
Hate attracts hate.
Nothing is left but hate.
One big ball of human hate.
Life is good, uh…
Only ones crying about Trump administration are those who have been milking the system like Pelosi, Schumer, & the rest of the Biden thugs and who brought our great country to the precipice of collapse.
Obama issued 276 executive orders. Trump has issued 220. He has more catching up to do in the next three years. The worst offender is socialist FDR, the darling of the Democrats who begat the fatted pig of the federal government we have now, who issued 3,721 of them. No, we don’t have kings, but we have an executive branch with well-defined powers as established by the founders in their wisdom. As Obama noted when asked, “elections have consequences.” Trump has the same full rights as any President ever had and hopefully ever will.
The politicians that are challenging the idea of a “growing authoritarianism, and the erosion of basic freedoms and government services” are upset that they are losing control of the dependency of their constituents. Less government = more freedom and autonomy. There is a large segment of the population and unfortunately most of our government, that will do everything in their power to keep a handle on tax dollars and programs.
King Obama weaponized every governmental agency and unleashed them on any one who disagreed with his agenda. His henchman were in charge and ran the Biden administration as we all know that Joe was not really there.
[Backs slowly out of the comment section…]
Really, on Flag Day? Where were the protests when Biden was weaponizing government agencies and making his illegal millions?