Apathy is democracy’s mortal foe. Ask yourself what you are prepared to do, out in the open, to defend and protect democratic ideals. Be present for our democracy when called. – From Reclaiming WE: Twenty Everyday Ways to Strengthen the Common Good and Defend Democracy (2021)

On Saturday, June 14, people across the country are planning to show up. In small towns and big cities, on courthouse steps and along busy sidewalks, Americans will raise their voices in a shared message: This country belongs to all of us, and no one rules alone.

The timing of what is being called the No Kings National Day of Action is deliberate. While the president prepares for a military parade in Washington, people in thousands of communities are choosing a different way to mark the day. Rather than a moment to celebrate power, it’s a time to defend democracy.

Over the past several weeks, the warning signs have multiplied. In Los Angeles, the president deployed thousands of National Guard troops without the state’s approval to confront peaceful protesters. Legal experts called it an unprecedented use of force against American citizens. The move bypassed the governor, sidestepped local control, and sent a message that dissent would be treated as a threat, not a right.

Meanwhile, online voices loyal to the president are daring Americans to show up on June 14. They taunt, mock, and egg people on. Some are even calling for violence, anticipating chaos that can be used as justification for more control. It’s bait. It’s meant to provoke. The goal is not just to discourage protest, but to discredit it – to make it seem dangerous and unhinged, rather than patriotic and principled.

That’s why how we show up matters.

If you plan to attend a march or rally on Saturday, here’s what to know. You have the right to assemble. You have the right to speak. You don’t need permission to express your views in a public space. 

But you do need to stay safe and be smart. So:

›› Bring only what you need. Travel in pairs or small groups. Know your surroundings and trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. If the tone shifts, if the crowd gets tense, step back. Staying safe does not mean stepping aside. It means refusing to let others decide the terms of your participation.

›› Avoid confrontations. If someone tries to provoke a reaction, whether it’s a heckler, a bad-faith actor, or even a uniformed officer, stay calm. You don’t have to respond. You don’t have to prove anything. You are not alone, and you are not powerless. Every peaceful choice you make is a choice for the long game.

›› Carry your ID. Have water, snacks, and a phone with a charged battery. Know where you’re going and how to leave. If police stop you, ask if you’re free to go. If you’re ordered to disperse, ask why and where to move. Document what you see, especially if you witness force or intimidation.

›› Above all, remember what brought you there. You’re showing up because something in you refuses to be silent. Because you still believe in a country where truth matters, where rights apply to everyone, and where public power must answer to the people.

And when Saturday ends, keep going:

›› Host a follow-up gathering. Invite people to reflect and plan. Share what you saw, what moved you, and what needs to happen next. Connect with groups in your community who are organizing for change – at the school board, the city council, the Legislature. Use your voice to strengthen your neighborhood, not just your newsfeed.

›› Stay engaged. Write a letter. Knock a door. Sign someone up to vote. Talk to the person who stood next to you at the rally and ask what they care about most. Keep the connection alive. 

In other words, mass mobilization can spark something powerful. But the real work begins in the days that follow.

If you hear people say you’re wasting your time, ignore them. If you get smeared or mocked, let them talk. Throughout history, Americans who have stood on the side of democracy have been caricatured, labeled as radicals, and accused of stirring trouble. That’s nothing new. What matters is that you show up anyway.

We hope that “No Kings” can be a peaceful, powerful reminder of who we are and who we’re supposed to be: A nation of citizens, not subjects, a place where no one is above the law, and a country that belongs to its people, even when some try to claim it for themselves.

So, come as you are. Come with hope, with resolve, with love for the promise of this place. Come ready to stand together. And then, when the chants quiet and the signs are packed away, keep walking. The road ahead is long, but we’ve never walked it alone.