St. Francis of Assisi ANCC Joins “No Kings” Demonstration in Glen Ridge-Bloomfield Community

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — June 14, 2025 — Several hundred voices rose together in unity Saturday afternoon as residents of Glen Ridge and Bloomfield gathered for the “No Kings” demonstration — a peaceful, grassroots response to the growing threats of authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic principles in American life. Among those standing in solidarity was the Cathedral parish of St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic Church (www.TheANCC.org), a longtime advocate for social justice and human dignity.

Clergy, parishioners, and community partners from St. Francis stood alongside neighbors, families, and activists and lined baths side of the street at Bloomfield and Ridgewood Aves. carrying signs bearing messages like “No Crown but Conscience”, “Democracy is Sacred”, and “Faith Demands Justice.” Their presence was more than symbolic — it was a reaffirmation of the Church’s commitment to Gospel values that call for justice, truth, and the rejection of tyranny in all its forms.

The sentiment expressed by our witness is a message of unity. We stand together not as partisans, but as people of conscience. Our faith calls us to resist the idols of unchecked power and to affirm the dignity of every human being created in the image of God.

Bishop George R. Lucey, presiding bishop of the ANCC and founding pastor of St. Francis, said in a statement:

“At St. Francis, we believe that our Catholic faith compels us to act in times of moral crisis. The growing normalization of authoritarian rhetoric, suppression of marginalized voices, and attacks on the institutions of democracy are spiritual as well as political concerns. We stand today not for a party, but for the reign of God — which looks nothing like a throne of domination, but everything like the table of shared humanity.”

The “No Kings” demonstration marked a significant moment in local civic engagement, drawing participants from churches, schools, community groups, and families who see the stakes of this moment as both urgent and deeply personal. Attendees included students, retirees, clergy from multiple traditions, and first-time demonstrators — all united by the belief that democracy requires the vigilance of its people.

St. Francis of Assisi ANCC has long been a visible presence in local and national justice movements, from LGBTQ+ inclusion to immigrant advocacy and climate action. Their participation in Friday’s march was a natural extension of their mission: to proclaim and live the radical inclusivity of Jesus Christ in public life.

For more information about St. Francis and the American National Catholic Church, visit www.StFrancisNJ.org.

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