LWVWA President Karen Crowley, right, with Cathy Liu Scott, immediate past president of the Snohomish County League turned out in April for a "Hands Off" rally in Snohomish.

League members from throughout Washington will turn out again for a No Kings mobilization day, this time with the League of Women Voters of the United having joined as a national partner for the Oct. 18 event. 

In an email to all members last month, LWVUS President Dianna Wynn said the decision to join the sponsoring coalition for the second nationwide event was intentionally made “to stand in solidarity with partners and stand up against hate and authoritarianism.”

Wynn said she will participate in a No Kings event in her community.

Karen Crowley, Washington state League president, applauded Wynn’s announcement and said she too plans to participate in a rally in Snohomish County, where she lives.

“The League, rightly so, has taken care to protect our reputation as a nonpartisan and independent organization,” Crowley said. “We encouraged our members to attend the first No Kings event, although we weren’t an official partner. The threats to our democracy in this moment are alarming. The League must visibly and actively stand in solidarity with all those who support the Constitution and rule of law. Please make your voice heard.”

Organizers of the first No Kings day included Indivisible and some 200 other progressive organizations^, including 50501, the American Federation of Teachers, American Civil Liberties Union, Public Citizen and MoveOn.

An estimated more than 5 million people in more than 2,100 communities across the country rallied. Additional protests took place in U.S. territories and in 20 other countries.

Wynn said the Oct. 18 event “is an opportunity to put words into action and show up in defense of democracy and as an effective ally.”

She also stressed that “the League has consistently and boldly spoken up in the face of rising authoritarianism.”

No Kings organizers stress the effort is committed to nonviolent action.  “We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events,” Wynn said.

Crowley encouraged Washington League members to work with their local leadership and colleagues to coordinate participation. “The League has a long and storied reputation for standing up to defend democracy. This moment demands whole-hearted, courageous action.”