Officials in Parker, Colorado, denied a permit for a planned “No Kings” anti-Trump rally after the organizer was told it conflicted with the town’s annual Parker Days festival, according to a report from local television station CBS Colorado.
The rally, scheduled for June 14, was one of hundreds set across the United States to protest authoritarianism and coincide with President Trump’s birthday, the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, and Flag Day.
Organizer Carolyn Williamson told the outlet that the decision infringed on her right to free speech after her request for a permit was denied due to the proximity of the large Parker Days festivities.
Parker sits just over 20 miles southeast of Denver. It is a part of Douglas County where all but one state legislature seat went to Republicans last November, according to a report from Colorado Community Media.
Newsweek reached out to the Town of Parker for comment via email Tuesday.
Why It Matters
This dispute highlights ongoing national tensions over the balance between public safety and First Amendment rights—a perennial issue during politically charged events.
The situation in Parker raises questions about how local governments manage competing interests when citizens seek to demonstrate near major community activities. The case is especially relevant to Americans concerned with free expression protections, given the frequency of political rallies and public protests during election years.
What To Know
Williamson, a Parker resident, organized the local “No Kings” rally—drawing around 400 prospective participants, according to CBS Colorado.
She has trained for de-escalation, worked with local police, and planned for safety. However, Parker officials informed her that gatherings of more than 100 people required a permit, which would not be issued during the town’s largest annual event, Parker Days, held only a half mile away.
The Town of Parker’s official statement said that ensuring the safety of both events was not feasible, citing limited police and emergency resources during Parker Days.
“The Town has an obligation to balance First Amendment rights with the safety needs of residents, and due to resource constraints during this major festival, permits for additional gatherings could not be granted at this time,” the statement given to the local station said.
Williamson said she believed the town’s refusal to issue a permit restricted her constitutional rights. She noted that after the permit was denied, Parker’s town attorney and police chief clarified that even smaller-scale gatherings would not be allowed during the festival timeframe.
Philip Chen, associate professor of political science at the University of Denver, explained the government can restrict time, place, and manner of assembly, but these constraints must be content-neutral.
The American Civil Liberties Union said that typically, permits for sidewalk or street demonstrations are not required unless an event obstructs traffic.
Despite the setback, Williamson stated she would move forward by staging a street-by-street protest along Parker Road between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on June 14, aiming to avoid direct disruption of the Parker Days. Parallel events are also scheduled in Castle Rock, Littleton, and Denver.
What People Are Saying
Carolyn Williamson, Organizer, told CBS Colorado: “Civil disobedience doesn’t always align conveniently with current events”
Town of Parker said in its official statement: “The Town has an obligation to balance individual’s First Amendment rights with the safety needs of its residents, explaining it could not adequately ensure safety for the rally during Parker Days due to resource constraints. They offered to collaborate on rescheduling the rally.”
Philip Chen, Associate Professor, University of Denver, told CBS Colorado: “While the government can restrict the time, place, and manner of speech, it must remain content neutral.”
What Happens Next
The “No Kings” protest in Parker is expected to proceed in an alternative format on June 14 along Parker Road, with organizers and town officials monitoring for potential disruptions.
Additional rallies are scheduled in other parts of the Denver metropolitan area for the same day, as well as across the country.
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