No Kings Protests across the US: Here's why thousands are rallying, where protests are happening and what organisers want before the Midterms

The No Kings movement is taking its protests in a new direction this weekend. Organizers are urging people to take the step and get involved in early voting. This comes as many states have already started their voting period. Grassroots groups are hosting more than 3,000 marches, rallies and community events across the country on Saturday. These events aim to promote early voting help people verify their voter registration and share important information about voting rights. The efforts are focused on the upcoming November midterm elections. The inputs are taken from NPR, ABC7 and ABC7Chicago.

The campaign marks a change for a coalition that has held three nationwide protest days since Trump began his second term.

Why is No Kings focusing on voting this time?

The No Kings coalition includes hundreds of partner groups, among them the American Civil Liberties Union and Black Voters Matter. Its earlier protests challenged what organizers described as authoritarian behaviour by the Trump administration. Trump has rejected claims that he is acting like a monarch.


Now, the coalition wants to turn that public anger into voter participation.

"The first three No Kings were designed to send a message," says Ezra Levin, the co-founder of Indivisible, one of the main groups in the network. "We're done sending a message."

Levin said the events have two main goals. One is to help produce what he hopes will be the largest early-voting turnout in midterm election history. The other is to recruit and train volunteers to serve as poll watchers.

He cited concerns over the failed SAVE America Act which would have required people to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. He also raised concerns about possible immigration enforcement at polling places and Trump's attempts to restrict voting by mail.

What will the protests look like across the country

The events will vary from rallies and marches to cookouts, concerts and family gatherings. In Golden, Colorado, people can bring their dogs to a "Paws to the Polls" march. Everett, Washington, is planning a concert for democracy.

In Frisco, Texas, Indivisible co-leader Cammy Dunford is organising a "voting is your superpower" gathering. She plans to wear a red and blue cape and hand out superhero-themed items, along with 500 small goodie bags prepared with neighbours. The bags contain QR codes linking to voting information.

"I don't care if you're an independent, first-time voter, Democrat, Republican," Dunford says, "if you are eligible to vote, you need to get out there and vote. Because without everybody voting, we don't have a democracy."

Los Angeles and Chicago prepare for rallies

In Los Angeles, thousands are expected at a rally beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at Gloria Molina Grand Park near City Hall. Organised by 50501 SoCal and more than 30 partner groups, the event will include speakers, music and a march planned for around 2 p.m.

Organisers say the rally will address immigration enforcement, voting rights and concerns about election interference. A separate gathering is planned in Pasadena from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with voter outreach also on the agenda.

The No Kings movement is also returning to the Chicago area. Events include early-voting rallies in Arlington Heights and Hyde Park, as well as gatherings in Horner Park, Evanston, Rogers Park and Lincoln Park.

Across the country, organisers say the aim is to get more people involved before Election Day. Christy McGillivray of Voters Not Politicians described the grassroots effort as a way to help people feel connected to a wider cause.

"It makes people feel like they're a part of something bigger than themselves," she says. "And that's what democracy is. Democracy is about working with each other and for each other."

Full list of events nationally, with other relevant details, can be found at nokings.org.