Flag Day No Kings/Yes Democracy

Good Morning, Newport! Today is Saturday, June 14, the 165th day of 2025. There are 200 days left in the year. This is Flag Day.

On this day in 1775, the Continental Army, the precursor to the United States Army, was established by the Second Continental Congress.

On this day in 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the design of the first “stars and stripes” American flag.

🚨 You need to know

Local residents are set to gather at Two Mile Corner in Middletown today (June 14) for a peaceful rally. This event is part of the nationwide “No Kings / Yes Democracy” day of action.

The rally will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at the intersection of West Main Road/Route 114 and East Main Road/Route 138.

Event Details

Local residents will gather at Two Mile Corner in Middletown (the intersection of West Main Road/Route 114 and East Main Road/Route 138) from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Flag Day (Saturday, June 14) as part of the nationwide “No Kings / Yes Democracy” day of action.

This peaceful rally brings together Rhode Islanders who are committed to defending democratic principles, the rule of law, and constitutional freedoms. Organized by Indivisible Island and Islanders for Democracy, in partnership with the Newport Democratic City Committee (Newport Dems) and other East Bay Democratic committees, the event is one of many taking place across the country in response to rising authoritarianism and threats to American democracy.

Carrying American and Ukrainian flags alongside handmade signs, demonstrators will speak out against the misuse of power by Donald Trump and his allies, political retaliation, censorship, and efforts to undermine public institutions. The gathering will stand in sharp contrast to a military-style event being planned in Washington, D.C. that same day. “We’re here to remind the country that the American flag belongs to the people—not to would-be strongmen,” said event organizers.

The Flag Day rally continues a strong local tradition of peaceful public engagement, from the Newport Bridge Brigade to ongoing demonstrations in support of Ukraine and public workers. Organizers say the event will also call attention to recent unjust firings of civil servants, the erosion of democratic norms, and economic instability driven by corrupt or self-serving leadership.

No Kings. Yes Democracy. Join us on June 14 to stand for our shared values—peacefully, powerfully, and proudly.

For more information, visit www.newportdems.orgTo RSVP, go to https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/794704/

📈 Yesterday’s most-read

The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.

  1. Obituary: Peter Barry
  2. Free items available from ‘old’ Rogers High School
  3. Obituary: Pamela Braman
  4. Obituary: Charles “Chuck” Overton Berlinghof
  5. Rogers High School celebrates Class of 2025 Graduation
  6. What’s Up in Newport County this weekend: June 13 – 15
  7. On the Market: A look at this weekend’s Open Houses across Newport County (June 14 – 15)
  8. Obituary: Kelly Nevitt
  9. Obituary: Catherine C. McGill
  10. Obituary: Marilyn Isabelle (Washburn) Murphy

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

  • Today: Showers likely before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog after 1pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 64. Northeast wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
  • Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 4am, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog before 7pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 54. Northeast wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Marine Forecast

  • Today: ENE wind 8 to 12 kt. Showers likely before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog after 1pm. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight: NE wind 8 to 10 kt. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 4am, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog before 7pm. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • The coastal water temperature is 63 degrees.

Sun, Moon & Tide

  • Sunrise at 5:10 am. Sunset at 8:21 pm. 15 hours & 10 minutes of sun.
  • High tide at 10:40 am & 10:54 p.m. Low tide at 4:13 am & 3:56 pm.
  • The lunar phase is a Waning Gibbous.

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

Newport County Public Meetings

  • No meetings are scheduled.

Cruise Ship Schedule

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...