'No Kings' rally set for Saturday

Residents across North Idaho are invited to join more than 2,500 other communities for No Kings, a peaceful national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the policies of the Trump administration.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, a community rally and forum focused on civic engagement, collaboration and peaceful action will be held near downtown. The first No Kings rally, held in June, drew nearly 1,000 people to the streets of Sandpoint.

Organizers with Sandpoint Indivisible and 1 Million Rising Sandpoint emphasize that this is a nonpartisan, peaceful day of action. The No Kings day of action is intended to send clear messages to current and future elected officials — not to campaign for individual candidates or parties — according to the volunteer organizers, all of whom are local residents.

The No Kings Street Rally will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on First Avenue, directly in front of Community Hall. Materials will be available inside beforehand for participants to make their own signs.

In coordination with the rally, the No Kings Community Forum will run from noon to 4 p.m. at Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave., Sandpoint. The forum will offer music, refreshments and space for conversation and connection. Attendees can share information about how federal and state policy affects local life — from public lands and health care to education and infrastructure — and collaborate on collective actions that reflect regional priorities.

The ultimate goal of the events is to find common ground across a broad range of people with varying political viewpoints.

Peacekeepers will be on site to help ensure the day remains focused on nonviolent communication and cooperation.

For more details, visit https://tinyurl.com/NoKingsSandpoint.