SAVANNAH, Ga. — As the nation braces for the “No Kings” protests this Saturday, local political groups in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry are gearing up to make their voices heard. These demonstrations are set to challenge what organizers see as a drift away from democratic principles.

Kris Mecholsky, a co-founder of Coastal Georgia for Democracy, is among those leading the charge for the protest in Savannah. Mecholsky emphasizes the passion for the country’s core values that drives this movement. “We’re gathering because we love America and want to uphold its foundational principles,” he stated. “This effort is centered on democracy and the separation of powers, as our founders intended.”

The protests are rooted in concerns that the current presidency is not adhering to the Constitution, particularly in terms of maintaining a balance of power. “There’s a lack of due process, even for those facing deportation, which violates the Fourth Amendment,” Mecholsky explained. “Moreover, there were calls for the president to seek a third term even before he was elected, despite it being a clear violation of the 22nd Amendment. The fact that he’s considering this, and has supporters, directly contradicts the Constitution.”

The message behind the protest is that they believe the president in not following the Constitution and that there needs to be a separation of power, Mecholsky told .

“No due process even for people who are being deported. This is an encroachment on the Fourth Amendment,” Mecholsky said. “Even prior to the president being elected, we saw calls for him to run for a third term, which is flatly against the 22nd Amendment. He’s saying that he wants to run for a third term and people are supporting him, even though it’s against the Constitution.”

This is not the first “No Kings” protest that the organization has helped put on. In the past, Mecholsky said they worked with the Savannah Police Department to help ensure the safety of everyone and this is something that hasn’t changed.

“We are nonviolent, we are peaceful,” Mecholsky said. “To put anyone’s mind at rest, the police have been working with us on all of our protests and rallies. They encourage us. We’re in regular contact with them because we know they know us and they know that we’re just here to exercise their First Amendment rights.”

“No Kings” protest are planned across the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry for Oct. 18. Beaufort County Republican Party said they see the “No Kings” protest as out of touch.

Beaufort County Republican Party Chairman, Kevin Hennely released the following statement to :

“Republicans and conservatives view the upcoming “No Kings” protest as misguided and out of touch with history and reality.

We’ve had no king since 1776 — America was founded on the rejection of monarchy. It was actually Democrat President Woodrow Wilson who created the administrative state in 1913, giving outsized power to the executive branch. In addition, a politically divided and dysfunctional Congress has become a rudderless legislative body that gets nothing done for their constituents.

President Trump won the 2024 election in a landslide with a clear mandate to secure the border and restore law and order. If Democrat governors and mayors refuse to enforce immigration laws or keep their citizens safe, the federal government has a duty to step in.

Here in the Lowcountry, the “No Kings” protestors—mostly white liberals, as we saw in version 1.0—don’t actually care about families living in unsafe neighborhoods in Chicago or Memphis; they’re pushing a political narrative. Meanwhile, in places like Washington, D.C., minority communities are finally benefiting from lower crime rates and cleaner streets. Republicans remain united behind the America First movement, dedicated to putting the American people first.”