JANESVILLE — Two politically divergent groups will hold rallies at the same time on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Marvin W. Roth Pavilion in downtown Janesville’s Lower Courthouse Park.
Demonstrators line South Main Street in Janesville as part of anti-Trump “No Kings” protests held nationwide on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Janesville demonstrators who have repeatedly this year voiced their displeasure with the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress are joining in a nationwide “No Kings” day of action. Janesville’s Town Hall Coalition, the organizer, said in a recent release its event is at the Marvin W. Roth Pavilion is from 10 a.m. to noon. It’s the second time since June that the local group has joined in a national No Kings demonstration.
Similar No Kings demonstrations are planned nationwide on Oct. 18.
A second group, meanwhile, says it’s also holding a rally at the same place and time. Its “America First Rally” at the Marvin W. Roth Pavillion, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a direct counter to the No Kings rally, organizers say.
“We are AMERICA 1ST! We are a bunch of proud American patriots, we are expecting you to come out and support your local authorities,” organizers of the upcoming America First Rally posted on Facebook this past weekend. “This includes America’s police, firefighters, immigration and the President Trump administration. They are in a tough fight to clean this country of distress and criminals!”
Its Facebook page at
“It is not the time for Republicans or MAGA to sit at home and watch the wrong side of the aisle try to manhandle this country and cause mass chaos. It’s time to show up and make a stand against these unwanted protests in our community!” the Facebook post continues. “We need to counter protest this NO KING protest and any other extreme leftist events to get the chaos and non-intelligent protesters out of our city!”
Steven Bates, the local organizer of the America First Rally, told The 69 Monday that event is one of several being held across the country to respond to what he called the planned Oct. 18 “No Kings 2.0” demonstrations.
“The event is one of many happening throughout the country to counter the No Kings 2.0 protests,” Bates said, adding that he expects strong turnout.
“The rise of people standing up for this country has been increasing in the last few weeks.”
Local America First Rally organizers said in the Facebook post that those who plan to participate should “bring your patriotism, flags, shirts, signs, airhorns, body cams and your voice,” and further urged those who attend to “be respectful, don’t bow to the left’s unintelligent beliefs!”
No Kings rally
Coral Swanson the organizer of the No Kings rally, said Monday she was not aware of the planned America First Rally counter protest, but was not surprised by it.
She said her group’s plan has always been to hold a peaceful, nonviolent, no civil disobedience and pro-democracy demonstration.
“Our peaceful day of action is going to bring together local residents from all walks of life who share a simple message: We don’t do kings in America. We plan to celebrate our American traditions and constitutional protections for free speech and the right to assemble and present our grievances to the government,” Swanson said in a recent release.
“I also wonder why anyone would want to ‘counter’ our pro-democracy, pro-Constitution message,” she said in Monday’s interview with The 69.
“In addition to sending a serious message we have also designed the event to be family friendly and fun with music, games, sign-making and opportunities to correspond with your legislators,” Swanson added. “We hope for more attendees this time because the challenges to our democracy and our Constitution are increasing.”
Edie Baran, also a member of the Town Hall Coalition that’s organizing the “No Kings” protest, said everyone, regardless of their political leaning, has the right in the U.S. Constitution to speak out freely.
“That is what we protesters, all around the country, are trying to preserve — our constitutional rights,” she said. “This administration has been taking away rights since day one. I wish these counter-protesters could see that.”
America First Rally
In an interview Monday with The 69, Bates said the America First Rally is a response to rising “violence and disrespect” being shown toward the American flag, law enforcement and conservative values. He said it will promote freedom of speech and the right to protest.
“The Democratic rhetoric and narratives of violence need to stop,” he said, accusing left-leaning activists of being “hired to stir things up” and “leaving towns to deal with the aftermath.”
“Freedom of speech goes both ways, but only Democrats seem to think they can speak freely while trying to silence us,” he said. “We as Republicans have had enough.”
He said participants plan to exercise their First Amendment rights peacefully, adding that anyone who predicts otherwise wrongly assumes that those who stand with law enforcement and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents condone violence.
He warned, however, that any acts of violence “from either side” would be “handled accordingly.”
“Both sides can speak freely, even if it’s derogatory. It’s our First Amendment right,” he said “But the left gets so upset about what we have to say. Even flying an American flag, our signs, decals, or wearing a Trump shirt enrages them.”
Bates said some people who plan to attend have expressed concern about potential confrontations.
“We believe in the First Amendment — and the Second Amendment,” he said. “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.”
Still, Bates maintained the group’s goal is for the event to remain calm.
“We will be respectful until they are not,” he said. “A peaceful protest from both sides.”
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