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See the nationwide No Kings protests amid early voting midterms push

usatoday.com · last updated October 18, 2026 – 1:12 AM

A man going by the name of Dandidi was among hundreds who protested in front of the James Farley Post Office in Manhattan during a No Kings rally in Manhattan Oct. 17, 2026. Several rallies in New York City coincided with nationwide rallies that focused on early voting and voter turnout rather than protesting.

Seth Harrison/The Journal News

Kathy Allen-Bridson wears a Trump mask next to fellow protester Tom McGugan, right, at the intersection of US 1 and Race Track Road on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in St. Johns, Fla. The group – about 100 people – was out in force as part of the No Kings Nationwide Day of Action protest opposing the Trump administration and encouraging voter turnout ahead of the midterm elections.

Janice Eakin, front, holds up a NOPE sign with Megan London at the intersection of US 1 and Race Track Road on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in St. Johns, Fla. The group – about 100 people – was out in force as part of the No Kings Nationwide Day of Action protest opposing the Trump administration and encouraging voter turnout ahead of the midterm elections.

A cap dropped along PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens during a 'No Kings' demonstration on Oct. 17, 2026, took a jibe at President Donald Trumps 'Make America Great Again' slogan and shared a sentiment some signs at the event expressed.

People march carrying signs protesting President Donald Trump during the “No Kings” march from Cincinnati City Hall to the Hamilton County Courthouse held by Cincy RISE on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Terrell Souden, 19, of Brooklyn, was among hundreds who protested in front of the James Farley Post Office in Manhattan during a No Kings rally in Manhattan Oct. 17, 2026. Several rallies in New York City coincided with nationwide rallies that focused on early voting and voter turnout rather than protesting.

People march down East Michigan Avenue in Lansing, Mich. as part of the "No Kings" protest that began at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich., leading to march, where several thousand demonstrated against President Donald Trump and his administration's policies. [Matthew Dae Smith/USA Today Network]

Tracy Moore from Mishawaka dresses as Lady Liberty on the North Michigan Street bridge during the Oct. 17 No Kings rally in South Bend.

People march down North Van Buren Street as part of a "No Kings" rally is held at Cathedral Square Park in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Oct. 17, 2026. “No Kings” rallies were held across the state marking the fourth nationwide protest since President Donald Trump began his second term. Unlike earlier demonstrations, the rallies focused on encouraging voting ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election.

Protesters listen to the rally during the annual No Kings rally at Cora Roberson Park in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Hundreds marched from the Cade Museum to the park where there was music and motivational speakers.

The "Eyeball Brigade," created and organized by Doug Schrock, attends the "No Kings Tallahassee: Our Voice, Our Vote" rally in front of the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

Jim Watson sports a No Kings crown as hundreds gather for the No Kings Rally, in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, October 17, 2026, which focused on getting out the vote in the November midterm election.

A volunteer hands out Palestinian flags during a ‘No Kings’ rally on Saturday, October. 17, 2026 in downtown Reno, Nevada.

Kevin the rabbit peeks out his stroller during a No Kings rally in Ferndale on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

Attendees sit with "Vote Blue" signs during the "No Kings Tallahassee: Our Voice, Our Vote" rally on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Tallahassee, Fla.

People participate in a “No Kings: Vote Early” protest, Oct. 17, 2026, in Hudson, Ohio.

'No Kings' protesters gather outside Daytona Beach City Hall during a demonstration in Daytona Beach on Oct. 17, 2026.

The Rev. Al Sharpton spoke to over one-thousand protesters in Washington Square Park in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village during a No Kings rally Oct. 17, 2026. Several rallies in New York City coincided with nationwide rallies that focused on early voting and voter turnout rather than protesting.

Protesters gather along Woodward during a No Kings rally in Ferndale on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

A protester waves to traffic on Woodward during a No Kings rally in Ferndale on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

Protesters rally at South Bend's Oct. 17 No Kings: Vote Early event at Leeper Park.

Demonstrators participate in the "No Kings Tallahassee: Our Voice, Our Vote" rally outside the Florida Capitol on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Megan London holds up a sign at the intersection of US 1 and Race Track Road on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in St. Johns, Fla. The group – about 100 people – was out in force as part of the No Kings Nationwide Day of Action protest opposing the Trump administration and encouraging voter turnout ahead of the midterm elections. London said she is still a registered Republican. “I would never give up human rights for political party,” London said.

Hundreds protested in front of the James Farley Post Office in Manhattan during a No Kings rally in Manhattan Oct. 17, 2026. Several rallies in New York City coincided with nationwide rallies that focused on early voting and voter turnout rather than protesting.

The "Eyeball Brigade," created and organized by Doug Schrock, attends the "No Kings Tallahassee: Our Voice, Our Vote" rally in front of the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

Protesters listen to the rally during the No Kings rally at Cora Roberson Park in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Hundreds marched from the Cade Museum to the park where there was music and motivational speakers.

A woman wearing a handmade crown and an "X" cape attends the "No Kings Tallahassee: Our Voice, Our Vote" rally outside the Florida Capitol on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Tallahassee, Fla.

State Rep. Justin Pearson, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House District 9, waves to passing cars and with a popsicle from Mempops in hand during the “No Kings: Vote Early, Party to the Polls” event in Memphis, Tenn., on October 17, 2026.

A participant holds a sign reading “Choose love and kindness” along Eastlake Boulevard during a “No Kings” sidewalk protest organized by Indivisible the 915 in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

A participant holds an “El Chuco Votes!” sign along Eastlake Boulevard during a “No Kings” sidewalk protest organized by Indivisible the 915 in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

About 1,000 protesters turned out for the No Kings rally and march in Salem Oct. 17.

People march on First Street during a ‘No Kings’ rally on Saturday, October. 17, 2026 in downtown Reno, Nevada.

Nora Blake marches alongside protesters during a ‘No Kings’ rally on Saturday, October. 17, 2026 in downtown Reno, Nevada.

'No Kings' protesters gather outside Daytona Beach City Hall during a demonstration in Daytona Beach on Oct. 17, 2026.

A Pride flag is waved at the Oct. 17 No Kings: Vote Early rally in South Bend's Leeper Park.

Protesters participate in the No Kings voter turnout rally at Schiller Park on Oct. 17, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

'No Kings' protesters gather outside Daytona Beach City Hall during a demonstration in Daytona Beach on Oct. 17, 2026.

A No Kings Vote Early rally was held at the Hyannis Airport Rotary Saturday afternoon. Mid-Cape Indivisible and Cape Cod Women for Change sponsored the event that is part of the national No Kings Day protest.

Miriam Borne wears a Lady Liberty costume during the No Kings Rally, in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Barret Molenaur looks over a map detailing distribution routes for Get Out The Vote literature, Oct. 17, 2026, at Mustard Seed Market and Cafe in Akron, Ohio.

In Brevard there were rallies in Palm Bay and in Cocoa, where a large group gathered at State Road 520 and U.S. 1.

"No Kings: Vote Early" demonstrators participate in a rally urging people to go to the polls early for the midterm election. Early voting is scheduled at multiple sites in Volusia and Flagler counties from Oct. 19 to 31.

Linda Larrimer of Columbus holds a sign that says, “No Kings Just Voters” during the No Kings voter turnout rally at Schiller Park on Oct. 17, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

A No Kings protest against President Donald Trump is planned in downtown Sarasota on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a focus on voter turnout ahead of the midterm election. A demonstrator wears a patriotic dinosaur costume at the corner of Washington and Ringling boulevards during the March 28, 2026, protest, which drew about 5,000 people downtown.

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Related Knowledge Center: Voting rights

State of Play

As Republicans move to restrict voting rights, and Donald Trump appears to be preparing for another confrontation about election results, a wide range of organizations are pushing back.

Top guidance in the run-up to Election Day

Ben Wikler, a political organizer who was chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2025 says, “The very most powerful thing you can do as a volunteer in politics is to talk to your actual friends and family who are fence-sitters.”
- He quotes Abraham Lincoln, who wrote in a letter to a campaign committee in 1840: “Keep a constant watch on the doubtful voters, and from time to time have them talked to by those in whom they have the most confidence.”
- The place to put our energy, Wikler says, is on the people whose votes will matter most because they live in a place with high-stakes, very close elections, as well as the people where we live.
ACLU: Know your voting rights | How the ACLU is safeguarding the election
Report intimidation, at the polls or elsewhere, immediately to the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español).

More informationabout Voting rights

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