No Kings rallies set in GB, Larned

Jun. 12—Rallies and protests are taking place across the nation on Flag Day, June 14. Two "No Kings" rallies will take place in the Golden Belt.
The Pawnee County Democratic Committee will sponsor a "No Kings" rally from 10 a.m. to noon next Saturday, June 14, at the Pawnee County Courthouse in Larned. Organizers said they will have a peaceful rally on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse.
In Great Bend, the Barton County chapters of the League of Women Voters and Women for Kansas will sponsor a "Pro Democracy No Kings" demonstration rally from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the courthouse band shell. There will be speakers and live music. Participants are welcome to bring signs, flags, drums, lawn chairs and water. After the rally, they will march in protest on the courthouse square. Questions may be emailed to w4kgreatbend@gmail.com.
Pam Martin, chapter leader for Women for Kansas — Barton County, said both her group and the League of Women Voters are non-partisan and are protesting on an issue, not a candidate.
"What we are emphasizing is, this is a nonpartisan issue," she said. "We welcome Democrats, Republicans and Independents — anyone that is concerned with the consolidation of power in the Executive Branch. This is going to be a celebration of our democratic republic that we hope to retain."
That should concern everyone, she said.
Martin said she hopes to see plenty of U.S. flags at the rally. "The flag belongs to us all."
Janice Walker, president of the League of Women Voters — Barton County, said the two organizations teamed up "to continue to give a voice to the concerns people have regarding the impact of the various cuts this administration has made and how they can affect communities.
"We want this to be peaceful, non-violent and full of good energy, as we encourage rally-goers to share their patriotic enthusiasm."
Larned's rally
Jaccques Molleker, chairperson for the Pawnee County Democratic Committee, will speak in Larned. His focus will be the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and exactly where the powers of government fall within the Constitution — what branch has what power. Committee members are making signs and he hopes there can also be someone who can speak from the viewpoint of agriculture and what impact tariffs have on this region.
"Our rally is based on defense of the Constitution of the United States of America," he said. The "No Kings" title recognizes that "all public officials, when they are sworn in, take an oath to defend the Constitution."
The Pawnee County Democratic Committee has been growing over the last four to six years and its members want to actively demonstrate what their beliefs are, he said. "Not everybody in western Kansas has the same beliefs about everything. We just want to be heard."
Nationwide, No Kings Day on June 14 is described as a day of action and mobilization against the Trump administration and in support of democracy and the U.S. Constitution.
There are at least a dozen No Kings protests organized in Kansas communities from Arkansas City to Wichita. Websites mobilize.US and NoKings.org list some of the locations.
June 14 is also Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the Army and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. The U.S. Army's Birthday Festival parade and celebration will take place at 5:30 p.m. local time on Constitution Ave. NW between 15th Street and 23rd Street in Washington, D.C.

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