Middle Georgia organizers, law enforcement gear up for “No Kings” demonstrations

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The U.S. Army will mark its 250th anniversary with a parade through the streets of Washington D.C. Saturday. But mobilizers like Sheila Keen will be rallying in opposition to the policies of the Commander in Chief, President Donald Trump.

“The legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the government were designed to have a balance of power,” said Keen, Co-founder of Macon Rising. “And that is not always being upheld by the current administration.”

Organizers like Keen who question the constitutionality of the second Trump administration’s early actions are taking action. Nearly 2,000 “No Kings” rallies will be held in cities across all 50 states, including the Macon Rising event on Poplar Street in the downtown area.

“We have about 300 officially registered and we’re hoping that we can get even more than that,” Keen said.

As the Macon demonstration wraps up, another will begin in Warner Robins. Wayne Fisher, Chief of Police for the Warner Robins Police Department, says the department granted an assembly permit for the event. Because the gathering is considered an assembly and not a protest, Fisher says there won’t be increased law enforcement presence. Fisher adds that the department will be ready to respond if called upon.

Keen stresses that the Macon Rising event will be peaceful, adding that there’ll be music and activities for children. The main goal, she says is to let President Trump and elected officials at all levels see the nationwide protests and understand the need for following the laws when governing.

“Follow our constitution,” Keen said. “We do not want authoritarianism. We want a democratic nation. That’s what we love.”