NEW YORK (WABC) — With the midterm elections 17 days away, supporters of the “No Kings” movement gathered across the country Saturday to encourage voter participation as early voting approaches.<\/p>\n
Participants wore crowns representing the Statue of Liberty as part of the group’s “No Kings: Vote Early” campaign.<\/p>\n
“Democracy is not and should not be a partisan issue,” said volunteer Dina Heller.<\/p>\n
The “No Kings” movement began in 2025 as a series of protests against President Donald Trump and what organizers described as authoritarian uses of power. With less than three weeks until Election Day, organizers said Saturday’s events were focused on voter engagement and turnout.<\/p>\n
More than 2,000 local events were planned in all 50 states, including dozens across the tri-state area and multiple gatherings in each of New York City’s boroughs.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people gathered in Manhattan’s Washington Square Park to listen to music, hear speakers, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, and register voters.<\/p>\n
Allen Hobbs, who attended the rally, said the effort was aimed at defending constitutional principles.<\/p>\n
“We want to have, a support for our Constitution. We see this as a bipartisan issue and defense of the Constitution,” Hobbs said.<\/p>\n
Another attendee, Valerie Corbett, emphasized the importance of voter participation, particularly among younger voters.<\/p>\n
“It’s very important that we all vote. Not a particularly that Democrats get out, but more importantly that young people get out. Young people get out and vote, okay,” said Corbett<\/p>\n
In Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, participants at a smaller event marched along Bay Ridge Parkway carrying Statue of Liberty torches and distributing pamphlets with voting information.<\/p>\n
Organizers noted that Bay Ridge is located within New York’s 11th Congressional District, which includes all of Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn, making races there more competitive than in many other parts of the city.<\/p>\n
Heller added that she hoped the campaign would encourage people who may feel disconnected from the political process to participate.<\/p>\n
“I think a lot of people lately have been discouraged like their vote doesn’t matter so I think not everybody has always been represented if people stay home,” she says.<\/p>\n
Organizers used the events to remind voters of upcoming election dates, including the start of early voting and Election Day.<\/p>\n
The nationwide effort marked the latest phase of the “No Kings” movement, shifting its focus from protest activities to voter turnout ahead of the election.<\/p>\n
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