Volunteer ‘peacekeeper’ shot ‘No Kings’ attendee dead at the last protest

Progressive watchdog group Public Citizen says so “No Kings” demonstrations They are meant to defend democracy and protest against what organizers call “executive overreach.” However, nationwide lawsuits, injuries and warnings about outside agitators are adding complexity to that narrative.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, rejected suggestions that the movement had turned violent and said the goal was to send a message of unity rather than confrontation.

“The idea that the United States is a democracy is, in essence, democratic on a small scale. It is not [the] Democrat [party]; which is not [the] Republican [party]” he said. “It’s the idea that we have a system that is based on checks and balances, where we understand that our elected officials answer to us. And that our votes count and matter.”

“Essentially, that’s what [“No Kings”] it is about. And why people are attending.”

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Nationwide protests, local violence

While most of the June 14 “No Kings” protests were peaceful, a few erupted into violence, leading to several arrests and at least one death. This Saturday, organizers say some 2,500 demonstrations are planned across the country.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Arthur Folasa Ah Loo39, an innocent bystander and fashion designer who appeared on “Project Runway,” was shot and killed at a “No Kings” rally in Salt Lake City on June 14. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said the fashion designer was not the “intended target.”

Redd said a 39-year-old father of two was mistakenly shot by a peace officer in a neon vest who opened fire after a suspect, identified as Arturo Gamboa, 24, ran into the crowd with a rifle.

Austin, Texas

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced that nine people were arrested during the “No Kings” protests in Austin on June 14. According to the department, the march began at the Texas State Capitol before moving through downtown Austin as the Capitol grounds closed for the night. DPS worked alongside Austin Police Department officers during the response.

Shore, California

Two people arrested in connection with hit-and-run crash at No Kings protest in southern california on June 14 that left Alexa Carrasco, 21, seriously injured, authorities said.

The driver of the van swerved toward protesters in Riverside, east of Los Angeles, and struck the woman, according to investigators. Carrasco was hospitalized in critical condition, the Riverside Police Department said.

Russell Alan Prentice, 58, was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of hit and run causing injury and a special allegation of causing serious bodily injury to the victim.

Ocala, Florida, USA

On June 14, during the “No Kings” protests in Ocala, three people – two men and a woman – were arrested, according to the Ocala Police Department.

Those detained were identified as Stephen Libardoni, 60, who was arrested for assault after allegedly shoving a protester; Michael Loren, 47, who was arrested for assault and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon after police said he shoved a protester while wearing brass knuckles; and Alexandra Krolman, 35, who was arrested for assault after allegedly hitting someone with a cardboard sign.

Culpeper (Virginia)

Joseph R. Checklick Jr., 21, was arrested in Culpeper, Virginia, after allegedly driving his pickup truck into a crowd of “No Kings” protesters on June 14, authorities said.

The incident occurred when protesters dispersed near 801 James Madison Highway and were crossing a commercial parking lot, according to the Culpeper Police Department. Police say Checklick “intentionally accelerated his vehicle into the dispersing crowd,” striking at least one person.

At the time of the arrest, no injuries had been reported to police and the identity of the beaten individual was not revealed. Checklick was charged with reckless driving and later released on $4,000 bail.

‘No Kings’ leaders defend security efforts at protests

While Gilbert said organizers “can’t control each and every person,” he maintained that Public Citizen provides safety training and guidance.

“We cannot let the militarization they are carrying out cow us. We need to be willing to stand up; silence is not an option,” he said. “And so, going out to peacefully protest is our First Amendment right and what we plan to do. We are taking precautions to make sure our events are as safe as possible. Obviously, you can’t control every person, but we are doing training. [sessions] and protect people in any way we can.

“But at their core, these events are peaceful, and that’s the point. The violence is not coming from ‘No Kings’ events; the violence is coming from militarized crackdowns and masked officers roaming our streets terrorizing communities. That’s not coming from protesters.”

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However, even when these events challenge the “peaceful” framework, a different variable emerges: the possibility or paid agitators or external provocateurs. Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, warned that “No Kings” is susceptible to such infiltration.

Swart told Fox News Digital that protests are often co-opted by groups that “make money off of chaos,” not by movements based on personal convictions.

“My concern is that there are forces – some internal, some perhaps foreign – that really want to tear the United States apart,” he said.

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Swart’s company declined to participate in “No Kings,” calling it “a failure in the making” but emphasizing that protests can resemble legitimate grassroots events while harboring hidden provocateurs.

Organizers, like Gilbert, defend their approach: They say they conduct threat monitoring, online research, volunteer security teams, nonviolence training and coordination to detect suspicious behavior.

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Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.