JANESVILLE — An upcoming “America First” rally in downtown Janesville, announced earlier this week as a counter-protest to a planned anti-Donald Trump “No Kings” rally, has been canceled after its organizer said he’d received threats.
Both rallies were set to happen at the same time on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Marvin W. Roth Pavilion in Lower Courthouse Park in downtown Janesville. The “No Kings” rally was announced a few weeks ago.
Offering no additional specifics on the nature of the alleged threats nor on the individuals or groups who allegedly made them, Steven Bates posted on the “America First” rally’s Facebook page on Thursday that “we have had multiple threats of harm made by local Democratic members and organizations supporting the ‘No King’ protest. We are diverting our attention elsewhere. God bless America.”
The Town Hall Coalition was billing its event as a pro-democracy rally in opposition to what its members see as increasingly authoritarian, king-like actions by President Donald Trump.
The 69 reached out to Bates on Thursday for further comment, with no immediate response.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is exactly the hate the left has,” Bates said in his social media post on Thursday, announcing the cancellation. “We can’t have any freedom because they want to shut you down with their aggression.”
‘No Kings’ rally still on
Town Hall Coalition spokesperson Coral Swanson responded in a statement on Thursday that her organization does “not condone any threats or violence of any kind.”
“That is true for all members of the Town Hall Coalition,” Swanson said in the statement, adding that no one connected to the Town Hall Coalition has been threatened in the lead-up to its rally.
The Town Hall Coalition’s “No Kings” rally is still scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Marvin W. Roth Pavilion in Lower Courthouse Park.
Concealed carry welcomed
In an interview with The 69 earlier this week, prior to canceling, Bates said “America First” rally participants who have permits to legally carry concealed weapons were welcome to bring them on Oct. 18.
“We believe in the First Amendment — and the Second Amendment,” he told the newspaper. “We told (participants) that if they’re comfortable, Wisconsin is an open carry state. Some may attend legally carrying, which will obviously offend the other side of the aisle.”
“We will be respectful until they are not,” he added.
The day before cancelling, Bates further posted on his group’s Facebook page that online RSVPs weren’t necessary for those planning to attend.
“With the left wanting to find out everything about a person, we do not expect you to show on Facebook that you are ‘going’ just to show up,” the post read.
De-escalation training
Swanson said on Thursday that members of the Town Hall Coalition have participated in training aimed at de-escalation.
“Our members and supporters who attend the event on Oct. 18 are expected to avoid confrontation and work to de-escalate any possibly belligerent situation,” she said.
The local “No Kings” event is part of national demonstration planned for Oct. 18. The same non-violent approach applies to participants nationwide, she said.
“‘No Kings’ is focused absolutely on a peaceful, non-violent, no civil disobedience, no weapons of any kind event,” Swanson said. “The Town Hall Coalition supports First Amendment rights for everyone, and we’re looking forward to communicating, in a lawful way, our opposition to many of the unconstitutional and un-American actions taken recently by our federal government.”
Edie Baran, a member of the Town Hall Coalition, said the group welcomes dialogue with those who hold opposing views.
“We welcome conversations with people whose views are different from ours,” she said. “In fact, many of us have had discussions with people passing by our protests.”
Janesville police
Janesville Police Chief Chad Pearson said his department reached out to both groups this week, prior to Bates’ announcement of the cancelation, and was working with both to ensure events remain peaceful and within legal limits.
“We’re focused on protecting everyone’s First Amendment rights to express their views and perspectives in a safe manner,” Pearson told The 69. “We’ve been in contact with both groups about what they plan to display, how many people are expected, and how the day’s events will be organized. Our goal is to make sure both sides can demonstrate safely and separately, with open dialogue when appropriate.”
Pearson said officers would be prepared to respond quickly if tensions rise, and would have a plan for responding to any violence.
“If things go in the wrong direction, we’ll engage to reduce any potential criminal acts,” Pearson said.
“We’ve provided both groups with information about ordinances related to protests,” he added.
For instance, “protesters can’t block roadways or private entrances, and we’ll take action if needed to maintain compliance and keep the event safe,” Pearson said.
