The Folsom Police Department is preparing to maintain safety and traffic flow during a planned protest rally scheduled for Saturday morning, part of a national day of demonstrations organized under the theme No Kings. The local rally is being planned to take place on East Bidwell Street near Highway 50 from 10 a.m. until noon.
According to the department, efforts are already in place to ensure that the event proceeds peacefully and that all participants can exercise their right to free expression while minimizing any impact on the surrounding community.
“The Folsom Police Department is aware of planned events on Saturday on East Bidwell Street near Highway 50. We are working to ensure everyone can express themselves freely and that safety and traffic are ensured,” said Commander Andrew Bates of the Folsom Police Department. “As with any event, traffic in the area, as well as pedestrians, are asked to follow the rules of the road to help keep everyone safe.”
The demonstration in Folsom is one of many peaceful planned events across the country in response to what organizers describe on their website as as “increasing authoritarianism and corruption tied to the administration of former President Donald Trump. The protests are timed to coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army.”
According to its website, the No Kings movement stands for “50 states, 50 protests, one movement,” and describes itself as a collective effort by Americans who are “standing for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration.” The group cites concerns such as defiance of court rulings, civil rights violations, deportations, and the rollback of social services.
Locally, in addition to the Folsom rally, regional events are planned in Cameron Park at Cambridge Road, Shingle Springs at Ponderosa Road, and numerous locations throughout Placerville. Placerville protest sites include El Dorado Road in Diamond Springs, Missouri Flat Road, Placerville Drive at Forni Drive, Ray Lawyer Drive, City Hall on Canal Street, the Bedford Avenue Pedestrian Bridge, and the Carson Road crossing at the El Dorado Trail Pedestrian/Bike Bridge near Apple Hill.
Organizers emphasize that all No Kings events are committed to nonviolent action. Participants are encouraged to remain peaceful, avoid confrontations, and leave all weapons at home. Demonstrators are expected to comply with safety guidelines and traffic regulations throughout the event.
City officials do not anticipate major disruptions beyond potential delays in traffic flow in the immediate area surrounding the East Bidwell corridor. Police will be monitoring the event to assist with safety needs as they arise and to ensure that public roadways remain open for travel.
At this time, the Folsom Police Department plans to operate Saturday with its normal level of on-duty staff, but will continue to monitor the planned events to determine if there will be any additional needs for assistance to ensure safety or traffic control. “We believe we are adequately staffed for the event, but we are continuing to evaluate that and bringing in additional personnel is an option,” added Bates.
The organizations national website outlines clear expectations for conduct, urging participants to participate in a peaceful manner and to deescalate disagreements that may arise and conduct themselves respectfully during the demonstrations.
More information about the No Kings movement and Saturday’s nationwide actions can be found on the movement’s official website.
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