Charlestonians will defend their First Amendment rights at a "Fight for the First" demonstration on Saturday, July 25, 2026, beginning at 6 p.m. The march and rally are part of the First Amendment Restoration Campaign, organized by the Charleston Democratic Socialists of America and joined by 50501 Charleston, Black Lives Matter Charleston, Charleston Climate Coalition, Charleston Community Service Organization, CHS Hotline, FRSO Charleston, Lowcountry Action Committee, Free Palestine Charleston and Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry.
Almost five years ago, on July 29, 2021, in the wake of Jamal Sutherland's death in the Charleston County Detention Center, Charleston City Council enacted a more restrictive demonstration ordinance without public input.
Although Charlestonians have been arrested under the ordinance, charges are rarely prosecuted. Organizers say they are typically dropped after months of uncertainty. But organizers argue that is not a relief for potential protesters: The threat of arrest, a possible night in jail, legal fees and months of stress chills First Amendment activity long before any case reaches court. Violating the ordinance carries a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Organizers also say police routinely keep protesters out of visible downtown areas.
"Marion Square functions in every way as a city park, though it's leased from the Board of Field Officers of the Fourth Brigade," said Bonnie Cleaveland, one of the march's organizers and a member of co-sponsor Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry. "But when we ask for protest permits in Marion Square, police deny them, arguing it's private property that requires the Fourth Brigade's permission before protesters can exercise their constitutional rights."
Organizers say that because police are responsible for public safety, they largely decide permit questions based on their own safety assessments, with no one but the organizer left to advocate for demonstrators' constitutional rights. The ordinance does outline an appeal process, they say, but its timelines make a meaningful appeal virtually impossible. Organizers note that comparable cities don't require permits for such small groups and, where permits are required, review is not left to police alone.
The rally follows the July 14 City Council meeting, where 11 people voiced objections to the city's demonstration ordinance.
The march begins at 6 p.m. at the Aquarium Garage, 24 Calhoun St. Participants will proceed west on Calhoun Street, south on Meeting Street to City Hall, then north on Meeting Street back to Calhoun Street before ending at Liberty Square, 340 Concord St., for a rally.
"If you don't defend your rights against erosion," Cleaveland said, "you'll soon find your rights are permanently destroyed."