More than 2,500 communities – including St. Thomas and St. John – are planning No Kings rallies on Saturday, March 28, to protest issues including the war in Iran, ICE raids, and cuts to critical government services. All peaceful protesters are welcome to attend.
On St. Thomas, rally-goers plan to gather at the People’s Promenade on the Waterfront across from the courthouse in downtown Charlotte Amalie at 10 a.m.
On St. John, residents and visitors are invited to meet in Frank Powell Park in Cruz Bay at 10 a.m. for a two-hour event to include a voter-registration drive.
“Join us in a rally of joy that embodies our Virgin Islands,” said Jane Higgins, one of the organizers of the event on St. Thomas. “We stand for democracy, anti-corruption, civil rights, and diversity. We embrace truth in our history and believe in peace on earth. Positivity is our vibe.”
The rally on St. John is being organized by the St. John Social Action Team, whose goal is to “harness the power of love to confront and transform systems of oppression and build a world where all people can thrive,” according to a statement. “Through organizing, education, and mobilization, we equip community members to take justice-oriented action.”
The events are being coordinated nationally by Indivisible and No Kings Mobilize. “Indivisible is a nationwide movement of millions of people working to stop the rise of authoritarianism in the United States and to demand a real democracy … We know that democracy only works when everyday people organize, show up, and hold those in power accountable,” according to their website.
To ensure a peaceful and joyful community event, the St. John Social Action Team is inviting the public to attend a de-escalation training session on Sunday, March 22, at the Gifft Hill School Lower Campus from noon to 1:30 p.m. The meeting will include practical tools and techniques for safety and de-escalation in tense moments. Contact davedigiacomo@mac.com for further information.
For those unable to attend the session on St. John, No Kings is holding a Know Your Rights online training session on Wednesday at 8 p.m. AST. Participants will learn about the constitutional right to peacefully protest and about best practices for reducing risks when attending protests like the upcoming No Kings mobilization on March 28.
Higgins said Leontyne Jones, president of the AFT Local 1825 on St. Thomas, has invited members of her union to attend the rally on St. Thomas. Union leaders from the EAA, SIU, IAM, and PBA have also called on their members to participate.
Rally-goers are encouraged to bring handmade signs or stop by the sign-making table in the park on St. John the day of the rally.
For further information, check the St. John Social Action Team Facebook page for St. John.
