South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson sent a public safety advisory about weekend protests, but organizers say there is no reason to believe that upcoming demonstrations will be unpeaceful.
Social justice groups across the country are planning demonstrations on Saturday, June 14, as part of a national day of action organized by the 50501 movement.
These demonstrations were planned for Saturday to coincide with Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s birthday.
The day also falls on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army on June 14, 1775.
More: Protesters rally against House spending plan, lack of communication from elected officials
Valor Over Vanity protest in Greenville
The Greenville Progressive Coalition — which is made up of several local groups like Indivisible Upstate SC, 50501, and We the People Greenville — is organizing a protest called “Valor Over Vanity” at Unity Park on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Michelle Shara is the Upstate representative for 50501. She said the Greenville rally is happening in conjunction with the countrywide “No Kings National Day of Defiance.”
The White House is organizing a large military parade on Saturday in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the President’s birthday and the U.S. Army’s anniversary.
Shara said that the planned parade seems to use the military as a pawn instead of honoring those who have served. The local iteration of the day of action aims to amplify the voices of veterans and expose attacks on democracy, according to Shara.
“It’s about courage, accountability, community,” Shara said. “It’s about honoring the values that our veterans fought for, and it’s about abiding by the Constitution of the United States.”
Protests planned in Upstate cities and SC
Several South Carolina cities are participating in the national day of action, including Spartanburg, Seneca, Rock Hill, Columbia, Pendleton, and Charleston.
The Spartanburg rally is scheduled to take place at Morgan Square at 4 p.m. The protest in Pendleton is planned for 3 p.m. at Pendleton Square.
AG Wilson issues advisory regarding protests
Wilson’s office issued a public advisory on June 10, stating that it had received reports of coordinated protests scheduled for Saturday.
The advisory states that “violence, vandalism, and any attempts to intimidate or obstruct law enforcement” won’t be tolerated in South Carolina.
“If you attack law enforcement, destroy public or private property, or endanger lives in our state, you will be arrested, charged, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Wilson’s advisory stated.
Organizer says Greenville protest will be peaceful
Shara said that there is no reason for the state attorney general’s office to believe that Saturday’s protests won’t be peaceful.
She said that the Greenville Progressive Coalition has a great relationship with the Greenville Police Department and has been working with other city officials as well for event permitting.
There will also be trained de-escalators at the rally, according to Shara.
“We have a great relationship with the city for this,” Shara said. “We are very committed to being peaceful and nonviolent.”
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state and Greenville County politics. Contact her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Organizers respond to Alan Wilson’s advisory on SC Flag Day protests
Read the full article here
