‘No Kings’ is not just in cities like Chicago, Boston, and NYC: These small towns are the beating heart of today’s protests

More than 2,700 “No Kings” anti-Trump protests and community events are scheduled to take place today, Saturday, October 18, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. And a majority of those events are in small and medium-size towns, as the grassroots pro-democracy movement spreads to all corners of the country.

This latest protest comes amid a federal government shutdown and as Trump has deployed National Guard troops to an increasing number of American cities.

The event is organized by Indivisible, a progressive grassroots movement, and a coalition of more than 20 partners that includes the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), 50501, and MoveOn.

It builds on the momentum of the first “No Kings Day” protest on June 14—and today’s event is expected to exceed that day’s turnout of 5 million people.

“We are anticipating the largest turnout in Washington, D.C.; Chicago; NYC; Boston; Atlanta; New Orleans; San Francisco; Kansas City; Honolulu; and Bozeman, Montana,” the “No Kings” organizers said in a statement emailed to Fast Company.

While organizers are anticipating the largest gatherings in major cities, which may grab most of the headlines, a majority of the events are actually taking place in rural, small, and midsize towns.

This map shows a complete list of locations for the “No Kings” events in each state scheduled nationwide. (A core principle of the protests is nonviolence, and the No Kings.org website also provides training in de-escalation.)

Fast Company has rounded up some of the events taking place in lesser-known cities, which form the backbone of the “No Kings” movement today. Here are six of them below.

Bryson City, North Carolina

In Bryson City (population 1,500), attendees are gathering for a public protest on Main Street.

Burns, Oregon

No Kings Harney County is gathering in Burns (pop. 2,700) “in peace and solidarity to voice our opposition to government overreach, and our support for the First Amendment . . . and all those oppressed by the MAGA regime.”

Storm Lake, Iowa

Protestors in Storm Lake (pop. 12,000) are “once again standing up to say, ‘NO KINGS IN AMERICA’” at the town sign, as they did for the first “No Kings” event in June.

Traverse City, Michigan

The Traverse City (pop. 16,000) event is being held at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, and it will include speakers, live music, and a demonstration. Attendees are encouraged to bring items to donate to local food banks.

Maryville, Tennessee

Organizers in Maryville (pop. 32,000) are encouraging local participants to “dress to honor democracy,” by wearing costumes celebrating American icons like Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty, and historical heroes who defended democracy.

Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Manitowoc (pop. 35,000) is holding a rally and food drive in Washington Park, the site of the town’s first county fair in 1859, that will include a performance by the Raging Grannies of Madison, a social justice organization of older women with chapters in eight countries.