UPDATE: To alleviate any confusion - there are MULTIPLE protests planned around the "NO KINGS National Day of Action":
1. Indivisible Charleston's event on June 14 in Hampton Park is still very much on.
2. The 50501 People’s Movement event (which this post is about) is on June 15.
3. There is also an event in Summerville on June 14.
--Original post below--
On Sunday, June 15, a 50501 People’s Movement event, will take place at Brittlebank Park from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action that was created in response to "increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption by President Donald Trump and his allies." Over 1,800 events are being planned across the US (see graphic below). South Carolina cities hosting events include Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill, and Summerville.
The Charleston event is taking place on June 15 instead of June 14 because of the First Amendment Demonstration Permit requirements put in place by the Charleston City Council in 2021. Organizers were denied a permit for June 14 and on appeal, secured the June 15 date at Brittlebank Park.
Previous 50501 demonstrations in Charleston included March 4 at Hampton Park (575 people), April 12 along Folly Road on James Island (400 people), and April 19 at Brittlebank Park (1200 people).
The group says they are demonstrating because:
- "On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress created the U.S. Army to stand up against a monarch who claimed absolute power. The Army’s birthday isn’t about parades or pageantry — it marks the beginning of America’s rejection of kings. 50 years later, Donald Trump wants to twist that legacy into a personal celebration of himself.
- Trump has already indicated that he’s aiming for at least a third term. But the American people don’t put up with kings. We will mobilize in huge numbers to reject this corruption and abuse of power. It’s in our DNA as a country.
- Donald Trump’s birthday celebration is expected to cost millions of our tax dollars, while Republicans claim there’s no money for Social Security, SNAP, or Medicaid.
- Trump and his cronies have defied our courts, deported American citizens, disappeared people off the streets, and slashed our services—all while orchestrating a massive giveaway to their billionaire allies. This is bigger than political disagreement."
Organizers were contacted by former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh, who will be speaking at the event. In a June 3 Substack post Walsh announced his formal affiliation with the Democratic Party saying, “Donald Trump is the worst of us.” He continued, “We’re better than what we’ve seen every day these past four months. America is better than this. As a former Republican, I know that cruelty sells. Well, it’s time for decency to sell.” When asked about the importance of the No Kings events taking place in Charleston and across the country, Walsh stated “We don’t have kings in America. It’s time for the vast majority of the American people to fucking stand up and embrace this founding American principle.”
The event will also feature a virtual fundraiser for the Lowcounty Food Bank because food banks have stopped receiving produce from farmers as USDA programs have been slashed by the Trump administration. Lowcountry Food Bank is not affiliated with 50501SC or this event and has asked that this be made clear in any communication about the fundraiser.
Organizers said a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. They said they expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with their values.
Information about the 50501 People’s Movement can be found at https://www.fiftyfifty.one/ and on Bluesky at 50501Movement.
No Kings Rally information can be found at https://www.nokings.org/.