In Conroe, Texas, city leaders are proposing an ordinance that could make it nearly impossible for everyday residents to protest downtown. The draft law would require a $500 permit fee and $500,000 in liability insurance for any gathering of just 25 people or more.

This proposal comes just days before another No Kings protest, part of a growing national movement responding to federal immigration raids and the deployment of troops in U.S. cities. Protesters in Conroe and across the country have gathered peacefully to speak out—and now, their right to assemble may be priced out of reach.

Supporters of the ordinance say it’s about safety. But residents and legal advocates see something else: a targeted attempt to suppress dissent. Requiring costly permits and insurance from grassroots groups—many of which operate on small donations—creates a system where only the well-funded can afford to exercise their First Amendment rights.

If passed, this ordinance wouldn’t just affect No Kings. It could affect every student protest, workers’ rally, faith-led march, or local demonstration in Conroe. Any group of 25 or more people could be forced to choose between speaking out or paying up.

The right to assemble doesn’t require a price tag. It’s guaranteed by the Constitution.

We call on Mayor Duke Coon and the Conroe City Council to reject this ordinance and work directly with community groups to create protest policies that prioritize both safety and civil liberties. We also urge Police Chief Jon Buckholtz to collaborate with residents, not penalize them, when addressing protest logistics.

Peaceful protest is not a public safety threat—it’s a democratic necessity.

Sign this petition if you believe the people of Conroe, including the No Kings protesters, have a right to gather and speak freely in their own city—without needing a credit card to do it.