The action comes after the Oct. 18, 2025 “No Kings” protests, which reportedly drew more than seven million people nationwide. While surrounding cities like North Charleston and Summerville conducted massive protests, organizers said Charleston’s protest restrictions prevented similar action downtown.
“Over 38,000 South Carolinians showed up for No Kings in October,” stated organizer Bonnie Cleaveland. “Members of the public asked why we didn’t have a Charleston protest, and the lack of a protest in Charleston was embarrassing.”
According to Cleaveland, organizers filed for a march permit, which was denied by the City of Charleston, who instead granted authorization for a limited march in a low-traffic area of the city.
“Charlestonians have a constitutional right to protest without unreasonable restrictions, so we’re going ahead with our march,” she said. “We have every right to redress our government for our grievances—and, to do that, we intend to march by the Four Corners of Law at Meeting and Broad streets.”
The coordinated marches will begin at five different locations on the lower peninsula, culminating in a walk down King Street to the Four Corners of Law, then back up Meeting Street to Marion Square. March routes vary in length from 3.7 to 5.3 miles, with shorter choices available for individuals who cannot march.
Participants can examine routes, starting sites, and times at CharlestonProtest.org.
“Charleston is not going to miss another national protest without a mass march,” she stated. “This time, we’re making our voices heard.”
