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‘No Kings’ protests planned in Charlotte this weekend. Here’s when & where

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Key Takeaways

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  • Seven No Kings rallies will occur across the Charlotte area Saturday, Oct. 18.
  • Volunteers and groups including Indivisible CLT organize local events.
  • The protests oppose authoritarian policies and tactics of the Trump administration.

Multiple “No Kings” protests opposing the policies of President Donald Trump are scheduled across the Charlotte area this weekend.

As of publication, seven rallies in the area will take place Saturday, Oct. 18. These are in addition to many more across North Carolina and the country.

Local events are organized by volunteers and multiple groups. The Charlotte rally, for example, is being organized by Indivisible CLT and seven community partners.

Unless Congress passes a budget this week, the protests will come during the federal government shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 820,000 federal and Washington D.C. government workers, is encouraging its members to participate in one of the upcoming No Kings rallies.

No Kings protests were previously held Saturday, June 14 and coincided with Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army —commemorated with a huge event in Washington, D.C. — and Trump’s 79th birthday.

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Protestors walk down North Tryon and West 7th Streets during the No Kings protest in Charlotte on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Another No Kings protest will be held in Charlotte on Oct. 18.
Protestors walk down North Tryon and West 7th Streets during the No Kings protest in Charlotte on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Another No Kings protest will be held in Charlotte on Oct. 18. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

No Kings protest locations in Charlotte

Here’s where the Oct. 18 No Kings rallies will be:

  • Charlotte: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at 301 E. 7th St.
  • Concord: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. along the east side of Concord Parkway near Carolina Mall
  • Cornelius: 2-3:30 p.m. at 20329 Catawba Ave.
  • Gaston County: 2:30-5 p.m.; must sign up to see location
  • Denver: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at 7120 NC-73
  • Monroe: 5-7 p.m. at 300 N. Main St.
  • Waxhaw: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at East North Main Street and North Broome Street

For a full list of protest sites and times, visit nokings.org.

No Kings writes on its website that its events are nonviolent, and no weapons should be brought to them. All participants are expected to deescalate potential confrontations.

Protesters march during the No Kings protest along Tryon Street in Charlotte on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Protesters march during the No Kings protest along Tryon Street in Charlotte on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

Why are No Kings protests being held?

The October protests are also in response to the actions of Trump, who has “doubled down” on “authoritarian power grabs.” according to the No Kings website. Among examples of these actions, according to the No Kings website, are:

  • Deploying “masked agents” who target immigrants, profile, arrest and detain people without warrants
  • Threatening to overtake elections
  • “Gutting” health care, environmental protections and education
  • Ignoring mass shootings
  • Gerrymandering to “silence voters”
  • Increasing the cost of living

“The president thinks his rule is absolute,” according to the No Kings website. “But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”

Protestors march during the No Kings protest along Tryon Street in Charlotte on Saturday, June 14, 2025. A second day of No Kings protests is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18.
Protestors march during the No Kings protest along Tryon Street in Charlotte on Saturday, June 14, 2025. A second day of No Kings protests is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

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This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 2:11 PM.

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Renee Umsted
The News & Observer
Renee Umsted is The News & Observer’s Affordability Reporter. She writes about what it costs to live in the Triangle, with a consumer-focused approach. She has a degree in journalism from TCU. 
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