A national network of activists, including the ‘No Kings’ coalition, has organized a counter-event to President Trump’s 250th anniversary celebration at the White House. The event features a celebrity concert headlined by Jane Fonda and hundreds of ‘watch parties’ and local organizing events across the country.

Counter-Programming

The ‘No Kings’ coalition, made up of about 400 organizations with combined annual revenues of $3 billion, has planned a nationwide protest operation. The coalition’s internal planning documents show that the event is designed to build momentum for a political organizing network and to counter Trump’s hosting of the White House UFC event.

The concert, titled ‘Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment,’ will feature left-wing activists, including Fonda, Patti Smith, and Bette Midler. The event is described as ‘an uplifting evening of song, solidarity, and action’ celebrating freedoms of ‘speech, religion, press, assembly, and protest.’

Organizing Effort

The ‘No Kings’ coalition’s internal materials outline an extensive organizing apparatus, including host toolkits that instruct local organizers to recruit co-hosts, appoint ‘greeters’ and safety leads, collect attendee contact information, and schedule follow-up organizing meetings after the concert.

The coalition’s messaging guidance makes it clear that the objective is to build a movement, with one recommended talking point stating: ‘He wants attention. We’re building a movement.’ The guidance also emphasizes strict commitment to a ‘NONVIOLENCE CLAUSE,’ warning that events will not be approved without this language.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.