OBSERVER file photo Pictured is a No Kings rally that took place last year in Fredonia.

Fredonia village officials commented this week on an upcoming “No Kings” rally opposing President Donald Trump and his administration.

The rally is set for Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m., according to a Tuesday morning post on the Fredonia-Pomfret Democrats’ Facebook page. Ralliers are to meet at the intersection of Central Avenue and Cottage Street. “Those who wish to drive in a procession will meet at the lot across from the Clarion Hotel on Route 5 in Dunkirk,” according to the post. The group will head down Central Avenue at 3 p.m. for a rally at Barker Common.

Fredonia Trustee Paul Wandel opened a discussion about the rally Monday at a Board of Trustees workshop. “Is that something that needs an application (for a permit), and if so, is it an event?” he wondered.

Code Enforcement Officer Charles LaBarbera said he thought so. However, “I think they would say it’s a free speech thing,” Trustee Ben Brauchler said.

Mayor Michael Ferguson said, “Bottom line, they’ve had several of these protests in the past and they kind of come up a little bit at the last minute. The only problem I’ve had with any of them — it wasn’t during one of these (No Kings) protests — but a unionized protest that was going on last year, where people were literally in the street holding up signs.”

Department of Public Works Director David Bird complained some of the signs carried by previous local anti-Trump ralliers contained vulgarities.

“Several different types of people are capable of showing up into our public parks and voicing whatever opinions they want,” Police Chief Gregory Myers said. “I don’t think we need to get involved in a brief moment of being able to walk and end up in a public park.”

Trustee Jon Espersen noted several recent SUNY Fredonia rallies that ended up in Barker Common which did not get a permit.

“I think it’s a big event, but it’s a non-event to get wrapped up in at this point,” Ferguson said.

“The more we control those types of things, the more it appears we may feel one way or another,” Myers said. “I just don’t want to have that perception. I would rather have it a park people can use.”

He soon added: “We will respond to chaos. It’s just that if people want a peaceful march and to walk around the park, that’s what it’s there for.”