FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS Begins Planning for NO KINGS 3
Queens, NY — QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS, a grassroots pro-democracy organization based in Queens, New York, has led two of the largest protest marches in the history of Queens.
Founded in 2024, QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS has rapidly emerged as a major force in civic organizing, mobilizing thousands of residents, community organizations, and elected officials to oppose rising authoritarianism and defend democratic norms.
On June 14, more than 1,000 people participated in the first QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS march, which proceeded from McDonald Park in Forest Hills to the Queens Criminal Courthouse in Kew Gardens. Despite pouring rain and significant time and resource constraints, the June 14 action was one of the largest protest marches in Queens history, bringing together residents from across Queens and featuring remarks by Grace Meng and Andrew Hevesi, among other speakers. The march established QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS as a serious new organizing force under conditions that tested both turnout and resolve.
On October 18, QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS led NO KINGS 2, drawing more than 2,000 participants in a march from McDonald Park in Forest Hills to Queens Borough Hall in Kew Gardens. The event reflected a clear expansion in scale, coordination, and production, with remarks by Grace Meng, Andrew Hevesi, and Antonio Delgado, and a deliberate integration of art, music, and visual organizing. A large volunteer-led art build and performances by the Resistance Revival Chorus reinforced the march’s cultural and political impact, underscoring QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS’ growing capacity to produce large-scale civic action that is both disciplined and expressive.
Between the two marches, in August, QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS convened a coalition summit of 31 grassroots organizations, strengthening coordination and shared action across communities throughout Queens.
“Queens has always been a borough of many voices,” said Alyce Wittenstein, Chair of QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS. “What we built between June and October shows what’s possible when people come together to create something powerful, visible, and lasting.”
QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS is now beginning planning for NO KINGS 3, building on the scale, participation, and organizing infrastructure established in 2024. That effort will launch with a Valentine’s Day Plan & Prep Event, focused on volunteer engagement and preparation for upcoming actions.
QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS operates independently and is committed to transparency, nonviolence, and broad participation across neighborhoods and communities.
About QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS
QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS is a grassroots, pro-democracy organization based in Queens, New York. Founded in 2024, the group organizes peaceful civic actions, builds coalitions among local organizations, and mobilizes residents to oppose authoritarianism and defend democratic values at the community level.
Press Contact
Alyce Wittenstein
Chair, QUEENS SAYS NO KINGS
Email:queenssaysnokings@gmail.com
Location: Queens, New York