"No Kings" protests across the country turn toward voter turnout ahead of midterms

Demonstrators gathered in cities and towns across the United States on Saturday for the latest round of "No Kings" protests against the Trump administration. In several states, organizers used the events to push people to register and cast ballots in the upcoming midterm elections.

The Virginia Mercury said thousands of demonstrations took place nationwide, including dozens in Virginia, roughly two weeks before elections that will settle which party controls Congress.

In Richmond, the Mercury reported that about 400 people turned out for a rally held in the rain. That was well below the more than 10,000 people the outlet said marched at Capitol Square at roughly the same point last year. Organizers urged support for three proposed changes to Virginia's constitution on the November ballot: one protecting abortion access and reproductive rights, one striking the state's 2006 ban on same-sex marriage, and one restoring voting rights to people who were formerly incarcerated.

Narissa Rahaman, executive director of Equality Virginia, told the crowd that federal protections "can shift with political winds," according to the Mercury. The outlet also reported that two supporters of President Trump watched from the edge of the gathering, and one of them dismissed the speakers' criticism of Republicans.

In Madison, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Examiner reported that roughly 1,000 people assembled in James Madison Park, and the crowd grew to around 1,500 as participants marched to the Capitol. Speakers outside City Hall encouraged attendees to vote early. Organizer Ajak Johnson told the Examiner that early voting in Wisconsin opens Oct. 20. People the outlet interviewed listed concerns such as living costs, abortion rights, Social Security and health care.

In Vermont, NBC5 reported that protesters held signs at Rotary Park in Winooski. In South Hero, a rally outside the Worthen Library later moved indoors for a "Votefest" with registration help and election information. According to the station, organizers said they wanted the gatherings to make casting a ballot seem easier to people.

In Nashua, New Hampshire, WMUR reported that the local event was put together by two groups, Gate City Voices and Southern New Hampshire Indivisible, and that organizers described its goals as responding to current policies and getting people to the polls. Scott Maltzie, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, said in a statement to the station that the rally was "Democratic performative outrage" and faulted Democrats' economic plans.

The Mercury reported that Virginia voters can cast early ballots until Oct. 31, with Election Day set for Nov. 3.

Compiled by True News from reporting by Virginia Mercury, WMUR, Wisconsin Examiner and NBC5 (WPTZ). Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/195