FAQs & Prepping for Saturday
What to bring, where to park, what to expect
Millions of people are registered for thousands of No Kings! events around the country and at solidarity events outside the U.S. Saturday is expected to be the largest single-day protest since Trump’s second inauguration. Here in Rock Hill, we expect this to be our largest event yet.
By now, you’ve probably heard about the South Carolina Attorney General’s statement Tuesday warning of “reports indicating potential coordinated protests and acts of civil disobedience” at protests this Saturday, June 14.
One of our partner organizations, 50501 SC, quickly released a statement reiterating our commitment to nonviolent action.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who organized this event?
York County Rising, in partnership with 50501, Working Families, Women’s March, and the No Kings partner coalition.
York County Rising is a community group united in the fight against fascism and for liberation. We know the only way through is together, and we believe our community is worth fighting for. Our core group of volunteer organizers has more than 40 combined years of organizing and protesting experience. You’re in good hands.
When & Where?
Saturday June 14 from 2-4 p.m. We’ll be out at Dave Lyle between Main Street and White Street. You’ll see us.
Parking
There's a parking lot directly where we are meeting, but we expect it will fill fast. There is also public parking on the same block, or at the parking garage on the corner of Main Street and Black Street, which is next to us. The bus transit hub is also nearby on White Street. Bus info: myriderockhill.com
Bathrooms
The Mercantile has generously offered us the use of their bathrooms. The Mercantile is the big building with the beautiful murals at 153 E. White Street, just down the block from where we’ll be set up.
Sign Ideas
Your sign can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. We suggest fewer words so they are easier to read as people pass by, but do what works for you!
No Kings!
STOP ICE!
Y’all Means All
Trump Was On Epstein’s List
Health Info
Start hydrating NOW. It’s June in South Carolina, so it’s gonna be hot and humid (or hot and wet) Saturday. Increasing your hydration early will help you stay well in the heat.
Bring your water! We will also have some water on site.
Wear sunblock, and bring it with you so you can reapply.
Consider also wearing a hat to help block some of the sun.
If it’s raining, bring a poncho and/or umbrella.
You are more than welcome to bring a chair to sit in.
It’s OK if you aren’t able to stay the whole time! Not everyone can be in the heat that long, and your health is important. 💕
We will have trained volunteer Medics on-site.
Food Drive
If you are able, please consider bringing donations of non-perishable items. We collect food at these actions every two weeks, and then distribute it to food banks and community food networks here in York County.
Safety 🚨
After six months of non-violent protests across the state multiple times each month, local and statewide organizers are united in our belief that if there is any escalation or violence at No Kings events this weekend — it will come from agitators emboldened by AG Wilson’s statements or through outside actors looking to cause trouble.
We have a team of volunteers trained in safety and de-escalation. We will point them out to you at the beginning of Saturday’s event.
We have not heard of any credible threats or issues here in Rock Hill. We are in communication with law enforcement, and they have assured us their goal is to ensure we can exercise our Constitutional rights without interference.
If a situation does occur — whether with counter protestors, law enforcement, or anyone else — our team is trained and will handle it.
There is a lot of misinformation floating around the internet about sitting down during a protest if things escalate. Sitting is a tool activists have used for decades, but it is a tool used before things escalate. Sitting down is not a tool for handling an escalation. If things escalate, do NOT sit down. You risk harming yourself and your fellow attendees. In the event of an escalation, follow the directions of the Event Marshals.
If you are detained for any reason, please do not touch the officers. If you are arrested, stay calm, verbally state you want a lawyer, and then verbally state that you are invoking your right to remain silent. And then, be silent. If anyone is arrested, we have a plan in place and we’ll come get you.
If you see someone being questioned, detained, or arrested, please alert an Event Marshal, take photos or videos, and do not escalate the situation.
We have requested a Legal Observer from the ACLU.
We request each of you make a personal commitment to not engage with anyone who is attempting to escalate you, to keep an eye on yourself and each other, and to avoid touching any piles of bricks or rocks. Before we start, our team will run a final check to ensure none of those are around, but if you see something like that, DO NOT TOUCH IT. Alert an Event Marshal and we will handle it.
If you see something suspicious, if someone is asking odd questions, if you get that uneasy feeling: calmly find an Event Marshal and tell them.
We will give further safety instructions at the beginning of the event, and share reminders and updates throughout the event as-needed.
Photos, Videos, and Livestreams
While we cannot control what event participants do and don’t post online, we do ask that you remember consent and safety, and be mindful of what you share and the surveillance state and times we live in.
We will take steps to anonymize any photos we take or receive, and we ask that you do the same.
If you are taking photos, videos, and/or livestreaming, please be courteous of the people around you and stay aware of your surroundings.
Protest Resources
[Virtual Event] Friday, 6/13 at 8pm Women’s March Protest Safety Workshop
[Recording] ACLU “Know Your Rights” Training
[Website] ACLU “Know Your Rights” Resources
[Website] De-Escalation Resource Guide
[Website] Modern Peacenik Protest Safety Resources
[Resources Links] Protest Safety Prep
For all other questions, please email organizers@YorkCoRising.com.
Thank you for sending this info. Very reassuring! We will be there. Peaceful demonstrations confuse the opposition, keep it calm for everyone's sake!
We really appreciate the information too and feel better knowing that it has been very well organized! I agree with Ellen peaceful demonstrations are very effective and very important to keep it peaceful right now. Look forward to seeing everyone there. Thank you!