Stand Up for Democracy: Join Us for the “No Kings” Rally in Southeastern Connecticut, and for the East Lyme Democrats Dinner This Saturday!

This Saturday, October 18, 2025, citizens from across Southeastern Connecticut will gather in New London from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for the No Kings Rally, a peaceful public demonstration affirming one of our most fundamental rights: the right to assemble and speak freely.

Across the country, people are uniting under the banner of ‘No Kings Day’ to protest what many believe to be a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism in Washington, D.C., and beyond. The intent of the rally is not confrontation, but conviction -- to remind ourselves and our leaders that our democracy depends on the will of the people, not the whims of one.

This will be a peaceful protest. Participants are urged to show respect for everyone, regardless of political party or viewpoint. Do not engage with counter-protesters; our message speaks for itself. Use signs and banners to express your concerns clearly, calmly, and powerfully.

A few important reminders:

a) Please do NOT photograph police or security officers.

b) Do not take photos of other individuals (including counter-protesters) without their permission.

c) For those who want to prepare further, both the ACLU and Indivisible offer excellent guidance on how to participate safely and responsibly in peaceful demonstrations. Visit their websites before attending to review best practices for protest safety and your rights as a demonstrator.

And after standing up for democracy in the morning, join us in celebrating it that evening at the No Kings Dinner & Dance at Five Churches in Niantic, from 4:30 to 9:00 pm. It promises to be a night of community, conversation, and good spirits (both the civic and cocktail kind), and terrific music from 2 separate local bands.

Tickets for the dinner are still available at eastlymedemocrats.org.

Let’s stand together on Saturday -- first to defend our democracy, and then to celebrate the power of people who still believe in it.