Organizations to convene for ‘No King’s Day’ protest this weekend

By THE STAR STAFF

Various island organizations have announced their plans to hold a demonstration in solidarity with struggling communities in the United States and around the world to commemorate “No King’s Day” on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. in front of the federal courthouse in Hato Rey.

The mobilization aims to denounce and reject the authoritarian, racist and dictatorial policies, as well as the abuses of power, imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump, which are having serious repercussions in the Puerto Rican archipelago, the groups said in a statement.

The protest will highlight and condemn at least six actions that the groups say characterize the violent and disastrous policies of the Trump administration. It is a civic event where individuals outraged by the current situation can raise their voices against abuse of power, repression, and violations of human rights.

The reasons for mobilizing from Puerto Rico include the following:

1. The criminalization and violent, racist attacks against migrant communities.

2. The re-militarization of Puerto Rico and the use of force as a political tool.

3. The violations of the rights of women, pregnant individuals, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

4. The use of federal agencies to silence dissent and pursue political persecution.

5. The denial of climate change and the dismantling of environmental protections.

6. The defense of people’s right to remain in their communities and their country.

On Saturday, the organizations will release a statement addressing the listed pressing issues.

The demonstration will serve as an opportunity to:

* Bring visibility to the communities most affected by dictatorial policies, including migrants, workers, Black and Afro-descendant populations, youth, homeless individuals, women, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

* Demand an end to the criminalization, raids, indiscriminate deportations, and mass incarceration of migrants.

* Reject any attempts to condition humanitarian aid or punish territories for political reasons.

* Call for an end to the re-militarization of Puerto Rico and the use of the archipelago for military attacks in the Caribbean region.

“We call on groups, organizations, unions, religious communities, students, artists, and all of civil society to actively participate in this mobilization,” the organizations said in a statement. “The presence and voices of the entire community are essential to strengthen civic resistance and express our rejection of institutional violence, rights violations, and the erosion of legitimacy through authoritarianism.”

“Opposing the abuse of power is also a concrete action for life, health, dignity, and social justice,” they emphasized.