WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of protesters gather on the National Mall in Washington for the 2026 “Defend the Vote” March on Washington, calling for voting rights and racial justice ahead of the midterm elections.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Rev. Al Sharpton, center, and other activists walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Rev. Al Sharpton, center, and other activists walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Rev. Al Sharpton, center, and other activists walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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A demonstrator holds a paper crane while kneeling in front of the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A demonstrator holds a paper crane while kneeling in front of the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A demonstrator holds a paper crane while kneeling in front of the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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Demonstrators take photos with a cardboard cut out of President Donald Trump near the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators take photos with a cardboard cut out of President Donald Trump near the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators take photos with a cardboard cut out of President Donald Trump near the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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A demonstrator holds an American flag near the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A demonstrator holds an American flag near the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A demonstrator holds an American flag near the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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An activist wears United States-shaped sunglasses during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

An activist wears United States-shaped sunglasses during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

An activist wears United States-shaped sunglasses during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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Demonstrators listen to speakers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators listen to speakers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators listen to speakers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during the March on Washington rally at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during the March on Washington rally at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during the March on Washington rally at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Demonstrators listen to speakers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators listen to speakers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators listen to speakers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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A demonstrator wears "Vote" earrings near the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A demonstrator wears “Vote” earrings near the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A demonstrator wears “Vote” earrings near the Lincoln Memorial before the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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Rev. Al Sharpton, left, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y, right, on stage together during the March on Washington rally at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Rev. Al Sharpton, left, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y, right, on stage together during the March on Washington rally at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Rev. Al Sharpton, left, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y, right, on stage together during the March on Washington rally at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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A demonstrator wears a shirt depicting former President Barack Obama in front of fencing surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A demonstrator wears a shirt depicting former President Barack Obama in front of fencing surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A demonstrator wears a shirt depicting former President Barack Obama in front of fencing surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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Demonstrators listen to speakers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators listen to speakers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators listen to speakers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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Demonstrators pose for a photo near the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators pose for a photo near the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Demonstrators pose for a photo near the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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