Protesters participating in ‘No Kings’ demonstrations in both Culpeper, Virginia, and San Francisco, California, were recently struck by vehicles, according to local news sources.
These protests are part of a nationwide effort occurring at approximately 2,000 locations, ranging from major cities to small communities. A coalition of over 100 organizations has coordinated these events, firmly advocating for nonviolence.
In Culpeper, police have identified the driver involved as 21-year-old Joseph R. Checklick Jr. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries. Authorities have charged Checklick with reckless driving and indicated that additional charges could follow. Organizers report that around 600 participants gathered in the town of roughly 21,000 residents.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, a motorist struck at least four ‘No Kings’ protesters before fleeing the scene, as detailed by NBC News. Law enforcement later apprehended the driver, and officials confirmed that the injuries sustained by the protesters were not life-threatening.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that tens of thousands of individuals are filling the streets across the Bay Area. The ‘No Kings’ protests follow a wave of anti-ICE demonstrations in the city, ignited by similar protests in Los Angeles.
In a related context, President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to these protests, aiming to suppress dissent against his intensified deportation efforts. This deployment represents a level of military presence in urban areas not seen since the civil rights movement.
Earlier on Saturday, two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota were victims of a politically motivated shooting incident, which resulted in one fatality. In light of these events, state officials have advised residents to avoid attending demonstrations statewide for safety reasons.
Authorities in Minnesota continue their search for the suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who had no Kings protest flyers found in his vehicle.