Defend Democracy ICT | Defend Democracy Wichita

KANSAS ISN'T YOUR KINGDOM

(DEFEND DEMOCRACY ICT RESPONSE TO TRUMP RALLY ON OCT 19. 2026)

🌻 KANSAS ISN’T YOUR KINGDOM - MONDAY PROTEST UPDATE TL;DR: Review BOTH maps, plan ahead, make good choices, and look out for one another. We have additional parking and arrival information from the rally organizers for tomorrow, Monday, October 19, at Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City. 📍 PROTEST LOCATION The Sheriff’s Office map identifies the designated protest area as the green-striped “Free Speech Zone,” southeast of the arena along Arena Drive. The additional organizer map shows parking, guest walking routes, and a shuttle route. Use both maps when planning. This is still a visible location. With the number of people planning to come out, we will be seen and heard. 🚗 PARKING, SHUTTLE & ROAD CLOSURES Arena parking is limited. Organizers say overflow parking at Gilley’s will have a shuttle running noon–4:30 PM, resuming after remarks conclude. Their instructions describe this as transportation for rally guests; they do not confirm whether people attending only the protest can use it. Please do not count on shuttle access without confirmation. Organizers also advise: • N Broadway will be closed between E 85th and E 77th. • Briar Rose Lane will be closed to vehicle traffic. • N Arena Drive will operate southbound only, entering from E 85th. Allow extra time, follow posted signs and law enforcement directions, and do not assume a walking route is open or safe. 🎟️ IF YOU PLAN TO ENTER THE RALLY The following are the organizers’ instructions for rally attendees, not a DDICT protest arrival schedule: • Doors open at 2:30 PM. • Organizers ask attendees to arrive no later than 4 PM. • Pre-program begins at 4:30 PM, with Trump’s remarks scheduled for 6 PM. • An RSVP does not guarantee entry. Admission is first-come, first-served, subject to capacity. • Entry is through the North Hartman Arena Drive entrance, with security screening for everyone entering. • Organizers strongly discourage bags, including clear bags. Chairs used while waiting must be returned to vehicles before screening. • Their prohibited-items list includes signs/banners, sign supports, noisemakers, weapons, pepper spray, and numerous other items. Review the full organizer instructions before attempting entry. • Organizers identify an ADA drop-off on N Hartman Arena Drive adjacent to the arena. These entry restrictions concern the rally’s screening process. They should not be read as a list of rules for the outdoor protest area. 📣 OUR COMMITMENT REMAINS THE SAME Are the location and access frustrating? Yes. This is not Douglas and Broadway, with public sidewalks and curbside parking. Presidential visits bring security restrictions regardless of party, and this location presents real challenges for people coming to protest. Our responsibility is to channel that frustration into nonviolent, peaceful protest. Peaceful does not mean quiet. Whether you stand outside or attend the event, we will not instigate confrontations or engage with agitators. We will respect law enforcement, follow safety directions, and do our part to ensure a safe environment for all, regardless of which side they stand on. That does not mean “just comply,” stay quiet, or surrender our right to protest. It means we will not take the bait and let our message become a national headline about violence. We will not hand anyone an opportunity to portray us as “crazy” or “out of control.” We can be loud, determined, and unwilling to back down while remaining nonviolent. Our commitment to everyone’s safety is not an endorsement of this administration or its supporters. It reflects the very reason we show up: to defend the rights of all Americans, including those we disagree with. We are all adults, capable of making good, responsible decisions. Regardless of when you choose to arrive or how you choose to participate, use good judgment, stay safe, and look out for one another. We each have a responsibility for our actions and their impact on those around us. 👟 Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. 💧 Bring water and snacks for your time outside. 🪧 Bring signs and energy for the outdoor protest. 🚗 Carpool if you can, and plan your return transportation. 🔄 Be flexible. Access and plans may shift. We are standing up for each other and for those who cannot join us. We are showing our neighbors they are not alone, and showing those in power that making it challenging does not make us give up. We will show up. We will be peaceful. And we will be heard. Event updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/1649098463378034/

Defend Democracy ICT is a community-driven, nonviolent movement committed to fostering civic engagement, open dialogue, and collective action across Wichita and Kansas. Through peaceful and non-violent protest, we create a welcoming platform for all individuals to unite in defense of democratic values and to send a clear, unwavering message to leaders at every level:

the voices of the people matter, and our democracy must be protected.

📣 NOW is not the time to remain silent. NOW is the time to make our voices heard! ✊ Stand up. Speak out. Stay united. Take action. 🗓️ OCTOBER EVENTS & SCHEDULE UPDATE Effective October 2, our weekly schedule changes include: 🕛 Mondays, Wednesday & Saturdays: Noon start 🕙 Tuesdays: 10–11 AM 🏘️ Fridays: In your neighborhoods! 👑 NO KINGS – VOTE EARLY Saturday, October 17 | Noon–2 PM YES IT is ON THE MOBILIZE SITE: https://bit.ly/NoKingsICT-Oct2026 Come make your voice heard and help build momentum for the election! 📍 OUR WEEKLY PROTEST SCHEDULE • Mondays: Noon – Rotating locations, announced on Saturdays • Tuesdays: 10–11 AM – Douglas & Broadway • Wednesdays: Noon – Delano Clock Tower • Thursdays: 4–5:30 PM – 21st & Rock Road, southwest corner • Fridays: In your neighborhoods – let us know when and where YOU want to stand, and we’ll share with the group! • Saturdays: Noon–2 PM – Douglas & Broadway Watch for additional October announcements, featured organizations, action items, and speaker information. 🤝 GET INVOLVED BEYOND THE PROTEST Share your input, skills, or organizing interests, or join our email list: https://bit.ly/DDICT-Community-Feedback 🦋 SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS – NO ICE IN ICT Get involved with No ICE in ICT to share verified information, connect neighbors with resources, and support families affected by immigration enforcement. Reach out to learn about volunteering, rapid response training, and ways to help. 📲 Follow @NoICEinICT on socials 🌐 Resources: https://noiceinict.com 📧 Get involved: noiceinict@gmail.com 🚨 Report possible ICE activity by texting 316-712-4297 When reporting, include the location, time, what you observed, and descriptions of agents or vehicles. Share only information you personally witnessed or can verify, and document only when safe. Stay prepared, not panicked. Look out for one another. 🦋 ❤️ SUPPORT THE WORK Donate: https://bit.ly/DDICTdonations Donations go first toward community care, mutual aid, and other support for the cause, and then toward event needs such as printing, equipment, and rentals. 🕊️ PLEASE REMEMBER • These are nonviolent gatherings. • Do not agitate or instigate others. • Do not engage with counter-protesters. • Keep crosswalks and entry and exit points clear for pedestrians. • Do not block business entrances or antagonize their visitors. 🗳️ PROTEST IN ACTION – WHAT ELSE ARE WE DOING? Protesting is only part of the work. We also: • Call, email, and write to elected officials. • Vote and help others stay informed about elections. • Join or support campaigns, or run for office. • Serve on boards and committees. • Partner with and highlight local organizations to collect donations, volunteer, and share resources. 🙋 WANT TO GET INVOLVED? If you know a group or community organizer who would like to speak, or you want to help with this work, reach out! 📲 Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok: @DefendDemocracyICT 📧 DefendDemocracyICT@gmail.com

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TL;DR:

Our recurring protests aren’t about reinventing the wheel—they’re about building on the momentum already in our community. We show up regularly to raise awareness, connect people and organizations, share resources, and keep our issues visible. Standing protests happen Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at Douglas & Broadway, Delano, plus 13th & Rock, and Kellogg bridge brigades. We’d love to expand into more rotating locations on different days—reach out if you want to help lead one!

The longer version:

The purpose of these recurring protests is not to reinvent the wheels already spinning in our community, but to build on them. Our weekly gatherings give people the opportunity to come together and see that others feel the same way they do. We raise our voices and awareness in our community, connect with those passionate about the same issues, and highlight organizations already doing the work while connecting them with people who want to support their efforts. These protests are also a space to share information about community events and ways to take action and stay engaged. When schedules allow, we feature speakers to engage directly with the crowd.

Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays are our standing protest days, along with the recurring protest at 13th and Rock Road outside the Koch property, and the Friday and Saturday bridge protests over Kellogg (and others as they’re able).

While those are our anchors, to those who are looking for additional protest locations, we would LOVE to make that happen. We have 4 intersections around town (N. E. W. S.) that would be great for a rotating recurring protest on Tuesdays, Thursdays and/or Sundays. If you're interested in helping with a location in one or two areas of town, please shoot me a message here or DefendDemocracyICT@gmail.com

Here’s a short list of the benefits to recurring protests in the same locations.

People know when and where to find us. Everyone knows exactly where to meet us every time. Our presence becomes recognized and tied to this location. The more we’re here, the more people notice, stop, and join us. Literally every week there are multiple people who stop and join us for the first time, and they tell their friends and they return.
We know the space. Each time we return, it gets easier to set up, stay safe, and stay organized. There’s plenty of public property for us to gather without conflict.
This spot is symbolic. In the heart of our city 2 of our 3 federally elected officials chose the center of our community for their Wichita offices. By choosing this location, we’re showing exactly who and what we’re holding accountable. When we’re outside their offices week after week, they know we’re watching.
Showing up regularly keeps the issues visible. The more often we’re here, the harder it is to ignore.
The media knows where to find us too. Consistent coverage helps amplify our message.
Parking isn’t a barrier. With both free and paid options close by, people can easily get here.
Accessibility matters. This location allows those with mobility or accessibility needs to participate fully and safely alongside us.