VERMILION — A “No Kings” protest is planned for Saturday, March 28, at Exchange Park in Vermilion, as part of a broader national day of demonstrations.
The event, hosted by Firelands Indivisible, is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. and is one of several coordinated protests planned across Erie and Huron counties.
Regional effort includes Vermilion stop
According to organizers, six protest sites have been arranged throughout Erie and Huron counties in an effort to expand visibility beyond the group’s usual gathering points.
Past demonstrations have often been held along U.S. Route 250 near the Sandusky Mall. This time, organizers said they wanted to spread out into different communities so more people would encounter the demonstrations and feel encouraged to participate.
Kate Rivet, founder of Firelands Indivisible, said the group has seen a strong number of sign-ups from Vermilion, along with significant local interest on social media ahead of the event.
Firelands Indivisible background
Firelands Indivisible is a local political action group based in the Firelands District of north central Ohio. According to the group’s Facebook page, it was formed to monitor and resist legislation and politicians that do not advance progressive ideals.
The group says its members are committed to working together peacefully and respectfully through community action, persistent resistance and the democratic process while modeling inclusion, tolerance and fairness.
Rivet, who grew up in Milan and has lived in Vermilion for more than a decade, said the group has been active since 2017 and primarily organizes online through a Facebook group with about 1,300 members.
She said Firelands Indivisible organized six protests for March 28 across the region and asked Celeste McKissick to help lead the Vermilion event.
Organizers say event will remain peaceful
McKissick, who grew up in Vermilion and has been involved in local issues and charity work, said the protest is intended to give residents a chance to speak out.
Organizers said violence and confrontation will not be tolerated. Rivet said volunteer peacekeepers or coaches will be present to help keep the event focused on safety, mutual support and the sharing of opinions.
Organizers explain message behind protest
Organizers said the “No Kings” theme reflects concerns about what they view as executive overreach and threats to constitutional checks and balances.
“We do not want a king,” McKissick said. “We do not want someone in charge who acts like a king. We are not happy with this and we do not want to sit silently by.”
McKissick said the effort is also meant to reach beyond one political faction.
“There are a lot of people who believe this is not the way they want the country to go,” she said. “We are patriots too. This is a right that we all have. It gives us the right to say how we feel, and we want that to continue.”
Rivet said the demonstrations are rooted in the belief that Americans have a right to publicly express disagreement with their government and defend democratic norms.
“Our current president is acting like a king,” Rivet said. “He’s ignoring our Constitution. He is ignoring the system of checks and balances that we have. We are not happy with him and we don’t want to sit idly by.”
Event details
The Vermilion protest is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at Exchange Park.
Organizers said that even if turnout varies by location, holding demonstrations in multiple communities could have a wider impact by reaching people who do not normally see public protests in their area.