‘No Kings’ protest returns to Austin. What to know Saturday

A “No Kings” protest is set to take place in Austin on Saturday, part of a nationwide day of demonstrations against what organizers describe as growing authoritarianism and threats to democracy. The Austin rally — expected to draw tens of thousands — will begin at 2 p.m. at the Texas Capitol before a march to Auditorium Shores for speeches, music and coalition tabling.

Gov. Greg Abbott has again ordered state troopers and Texas National Guard soldiers to Austin ahead of the protest, calling the planned demonstrations “Antifa-linked” despite their sponsorship by groups like the ACLU, League of Women Voters and Sierra Club. 

Abbott said the deployment was meant to deter “violence and destruction,” though similar protests in June — when he sent 5,000 Guard members and 2,000 DPS officers, roughly one-fifth of the state’s military force — were largely peaceful and saw few arrests.

The No Kings Day of Action is organized nationally by Indivisible, a network of progressive groups formed in opposition to the Trump administration, and supported locally by Hands Off Central Texas — a coalition-building organization that helps connect people to labor unions, nonprofits and community organizations.

The rally’s theme — “In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings” — is meant as a rebuke to what organizers call “chaos, corruption and cruelty” in state and national politics. The local event will feature more than 50 community organizations and union chapters, including the League of Women Voters, AFSCME, and the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Sophia Mirto, president of Hands Off Central Texas, who organized the protest, said the movement is about protecting democratic freedoms amid growing fear and apathy.

“The very moment that an American is afraid to use their constitutionally guaranteed civil rights is the moment where our democracy is at risk,” she said. 

Saturday’s protest will follow this schedule:

• 2:00 p.m. — Assemble at the Texas Capitol for opening remarks
• 2:30 p.m. — March to Auditorium Shores
• 3:00–5:30 p.m. — Rally and performances at Auditorium Shores, with tables, food trucks and volunteer signups

Speakers include U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Austin City Council Member Chito Vela, veteran Greg Stoker, and Mirto. Local artists such as Guy Forsyth, Robert Ōzn and the Austin Raging Grannies will perform.

Abbott’s office said the Department of Public Safety’s Homeland Security Division is monitoring protests statewide and coordinating with local police to arrest anyone who engages in violence or property damage. 

The governor framed the deployment as a precaution to protect public safety, saying Texas will use all necessary resources to deter criminal activity during the demonstrations.

While Abbott said the protests were linked to Antifa — a group recently designated a domestic terror group by the Trump administration — he did not provide evidence connecting the rally to the group. Organizers have rejected that claim, describing the event as permitted, nonviolent and coordinated with local agencies.

Mirto called the state police deployment unnecessary and wasteful. 

“It’s always disappointing to see frivolous tax expenditures from the governor when Texans need public transportation, expanded health care, affordable housing, and aid after July’s devastating floods,” she said. “Spending tax money on extra policing for a nonviolent First Amendment protest is a concerning use of our tax dollars.”

The group’s website calls the deployment “unrequested” and urges the National Guard to focus on disaster response, not monitoring civic events.

Organizers said No Kings is a nonviolent movement whose participants are trained in de-escalation. They said the expected DPS and Austin police presence should protect demonstrators’ rights, not intimidate them.

As the No Kings rally approaches, some Texans are asking: Could my boss fire me for showing up?

Online discussions show growing concern among government workers after Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for heightened security around the event.

Public employees — including teachers, city workers and state staff — have limited First Amendment protections. They can attend protests on their own time if acting as private citizens, but those rights don’t cover actions that disrupt government operations or violate workplace policies.

Most can legally join peaceful demonstrations off the clock, though they risk discipline if participation interferes with their job duties or breaches workplace conduct rules.

For organizers like Mirto, that fear itself signals what’s at stake.

“The very moment that an American is afraid to use their constitutionally guaranteed civil rights is the moment where our democracy is at risk,” Mirto said. “The fact that people are afraid of speaking out against the government tells us that we are no longer living in a free country.”

Mirto said the rally is a permitted, nonpartisan and nonviolent event meant to connect residents with civic and community groups, not incite confrontation. She urged anyone who feels pressured or threatened by an employer over their participation to contact the ACLU, which provides free legal guidance on protest and First Amendment rights.

For private-sector workers, Texas’ at-will employment law means employers can generally fire staff for any reason, as long as it doesn’t violate anti-discrimination or whistleblower protections. No state law shields political activity outside of work, so most private employees could be disciplined for attending a protest their employer opposes — though such actions are rare and often draw public backlash.

Legal experts note that the First Amendment protects individuals from government limits on speech, not from actions by private employers. As the ACLU explains, “The First Amendment protects you from government censorship, but not from censorship by private organizations or individuals.” The national ACLU adds: “While the First Amendment applies only to state action, the values that animate our right to free speech and free association apply to all of us, regardless of where we work.”

Organizers say that fear shouldn’t keep people from exercising their rights.

“It’s very much now or never on using your First Amendment rights,” Mirto said. “If we’re not loud enough and organized enough now, I shudder to imagine a country where people lost their rights because they were too afraid to use them.”

Hands Off Central Texas also notes that those who can’t or prefer not to attend in person can still participate by donating, volunteering, or joining post-event organizing drives. 

Organizers say the Austin No Kings rally will be large but orderly, with tens of thousands expected between the Capitol and Auditorium Shores. Participants are encouraged to prepare for long hours outdoors and large, festival-sized crowds.

Attendees are advised to hydrate the day before and bring water, snacks, cash, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. They should also set a meeting spot with friends in case cell service drops — which organizers say is likely in a crowd this size.

The protest is permitted by both the Texas State Preservation Board and the Austin Parks Department, with volunteer medics, legal observers and de-escalation monitors on site.

Organizers say No Kings is a nonviolent movement, and weapons are prohibited — even those otherwise legal.

They also cautioned attendees about heightened immigration enforcement risk on Capitol grounds, which fall under Department of Public Safety jurisdiction. Those concerned are urged to join the event directly at Auditorium Shores.

Mirto said Hands Off Central Texas plans to continue organizing beyond the protest, with events such as book clubs and art shows to engage a broad range of participants. She described the group as a “big-tent” movement open to anyone concerned about community safety, regardless of political background.