Brattleboro No Kings march set for Sept. 12

Police Chief Jeremy Evans said no decision has yet been made about street closure plans.

A No Kings demonstration is being organized for Saturday, Sept. 12, with participants expected to gather at 10 a.m. and head through downtown Brattleboro.

The event is being coordinated by Eesha Williams of Dummerston, who said the gathering is meant to respond to concerns about masked law enforcement tactics, an overseas war he described as unlawful and costly, and what organizers view as threats to speech, voting rights and civil liberties. He also said the protest is intended to push back against rising expenses that are straining families.

Williams said he believes some of the people who took part in the March 28 No Kings rallies in Brattleboro, Keene, Greenfield and Northampton may return for this demonstration. He estimated those earlier events drew a combined 16,000 people.

The planned route depends on turnout. If at least 1,000 people arrive, organizers expect the march to move along Main Street from Plaza Park near the Brattleboro Food Co-op to the Common. If participation is lower, attendees will stay on the sidewalks. Williams said he and his wife, Elizabeth Wood, will help count the crowd.

To prepare for the event, dozens of Brattleboro residents have filed a petition with the chair of the Select Board asking the town to waive the fee for opening the street to pedestrians, the same practice used for the 4th of July parade and Gallery Walk. Williams also ended up agreeing to a $25 permit for a parade and open air meeting after initially questioning the fee on free speech and assembly grounds.

Police Chief Jeremy Evans said no decision has yet been made about street closure plans. Dan Tyler, director of the Department of Public Works, said past organizers were required to keep their marches on the sidewalks as part of the permit process.

Williams said the walk should take about 30 minutes. Dan DeWalt is arranging live music, and other participants may organize remarks at the Common.