As the government shutdown stretches into its third week, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) said the Democrats could be holding out until after the "No Kings" protests scheduled to take place nationwide this weekend.
On October 18, Democrat and far-left groups across the state will be taking to the streets once again for another day of protests in an attempt to rehash perceived grievances with the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have refused to pass the House's clean continuing resolution to reopen the government and allow military personnel and other federal workers to receive their pay.
Britt said in an interview with Newsmax last Wednesday that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) hopes his effort to keep the government closed will resonate with his base during reelection and give him something to tout as he speaks at a protest on Saturday.
"What's truly concerning is the hold far left groups like this have over Democrats, and that people like Chuck Schumer are more concerned with being a headliner at one of these protests than opening our government and ensuring our troops get paid," Britt told 1819 News.
From Florence to Fairhope, at least 15 protests are planned in Alabama, according to nokings.org, organized by local Democratic parties and left-wing groups such as the Soros-funded Indivisible and 50501.
"While I could not disagree more over why they're protesting, I do support their right to do so. I urge that it remains peaceful," Britt added.
The protest effort in June on President Donald Trump's birthday saw a few violent incidents, with at least one report of an alleged assault by a No Kings protester in Mobile. However, since then, the political climate in America has only grown hotter, particularly with the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Many of the groups planning the upcoming protests, as well as people promoting and supporting the events, were among those celebrating Kirk's murder.
Like the group Liberal Agenda for North Alabama is a radical left-wing Facebook page turned activist group. The page, run by Huntsville native Alix Morehouse, made several posts the day of Kirk's assassination, celebrating his death. Morehouse continues to make posts against Kirk and Republican leaders, using the same "Nazi" and "Hitler" rhetoric that arguably helped incite Kirk's killer to violence.
Facebook posts made shortly after Charlie Kirk's assassination. (Click to enlarge).
When not posting vulgar, far-left messaging, Morehouse has been supporting Democrat candidates, like self-described member of a domestic terror organization Jeremy Devito, and recruiting people to attend the No Kings protests. Morehouse said she would be attending the one in Guntersville, organized by the Marshall County Democratic Party. The party seems friendly with Morehouse and her page, having shared and liked several of her posts in the past. Multiple messages to the party's president, Susan McKenney, about whether or not they support Morehouse's rhetoric went unanswered.
That last "No Kings" protest in Guntersville, organized by the Democratic Party at the Marshall County Courthouse, was well-attended by a predominantly elderly crowd, though it violated several of the county's picketing regulations, such as not using sound amplification and limiting crowd size to 30. The application for the protest on October 18 made a special note about adhering to the county's rules.
Like with the protests in June, Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sims told 1819 News that he did not anticipate any major issues on October 18. However, he said his deputies would be ready to respond if needed.
Law enforcement in Huntsville issued a similar statement for the planned "No Kings! No Quacks!" protest along Governor's Drive.
"The Huntsville Police Department is aware of the planned activity and, as always, fully prepared to ensure public safety while respecting individuals' rights to peacefully assemble," a spokesman told 1819 News.
Huntsville protesters are encouraged to "be creative" with signs and costumes. "Or dress as any doctor you would rather take medical advice from than RFK Jr!" the event page stated.
Protesters in Auburn plan to "take advantage" of gameday traffic with a "sign brigade" along North College Street outside of the Kreher Preserve.
"Our single message, COUNTRY OVER PARTY, surrounded by a sea of red, white, and blue flags, will be a powerful visual!" the event page stated. "... We've also created a brilliant 'Unpaid Protester' t-shirt in honor of the event."
Organizers of the No Kings movement warned protesters during an online training session of "increasing political tensions and military presence" ahead of Saturday's rallies, Newsweek reported.
"His administration is sending masked agents into our streets, terrorizing our communities. They are targeting immigrant families, profiling, arresting and detaining people without warrants. Threatening to overtake elections," the No Kings website said. "Gutting healthcare, environmental protections, and education when families need them most. Rigging maps to silence voters. Ignoring mass shootings at our schools and in our communities. Driving up the cost of living while handing out massive giveaways to billionaire allies, as families struggle."
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