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'No Kings' rallies aim to mobilize voters ahead of midterms
On October 17, Black Voters Matter (BVM) and Indivisible Georgia Coalition are hosting "No Kings" rallies to encourage voter mobilization in Atlanta, in conjunction with the 2,500 events taking place in big cities and small towns across all 50 states. Our Kim Leoffler is at one such event in Smyrna.
ATLANTA - Voters and demonstrators gathered across metro Atlanta and North Georgia on Saturday as part of a nationwide "No Kings" mobilization aimed at turning grassroots energy into early voter turnout.
Metro Atlanta rallies combine demonstrations with voting
What we know:
In Smyrna, community members gathered Saturday morning along Atlanta Road to demonstrate and hear from local speakers before marching to cast their ballots. Following the roadside rally, participants walked together to First Baptist Church of Smyrna, which serves as a Cobb County early voting location.
The Smyrna gathering was one of more than 40 "No Kings" events taking place across Georgia on Saturday. In Atlanta, Black Voters Matter hosted a "Party at the Polls" featuring food trucks, music, and an informational voting village, followed by a collective stroll to the ballot box.
Early voting in Georgia began earlier this week as voters prepare for the midterm elections, which are just over two weeks away.
'Protecting our democracy'
What they're saying:
Organizers in Smyrna said the event served a dual purpose: demonstrating against the Trump administration's policies while rallying neighbors of all backgrounds to participate in the democratic process.
"Number one, protesting the corruption of the current administration. And number two, trying to get out a huge early vote turnout … This event is all about positivity, the joy of getting together, demonstrating, and voting together today," an organizer said.
Protesters stressed that the neighborhood rallies were designed to be child-friendly, peaceful, and centered on civic participation:
"At its core, that’s what this movement’s all about is preserving and protecting our democracy for us and for future generations, regardless of one’s background," the organizer said. "We’re encouraging everybody, regardless of who you are, to check your status, get out there to vote."
In Atlanta, dozens of people gathered at Cascade Family Skating in southwest Atlanta.
Fenika Miller of Black Voters Matter emphasized the goal of creating a supportive environment for early voters.
"We want folks to feel safe … to be able to come in and vote and vote in an atmosphere that is celebratory and know that there is a community that is … supporting them. We can't afford to wait until Nov. 3," Miller said.
Miller pointed to the wide-ranging scope of the current election cycle.
"This is a consequential election. We have things on the ballot from US Senate to all the way down to local," Miller said.
Miller also highlighted the civic importance of utilizing the ballot.
"Voting is a very powerful tool we have. It's not the only tool, but for this election it's the tool we have to will our power," Miller said.
Atlanta City Council Member Michael Bond urged residents affected by everyday economic pressures to express their concerns through voting.
"If you are fed up about gas prices, fed up about your bills, fed up anything in society you don’t have to take it. You can respond by using your right to vote," Bond said.
Bond advocated for taking advantage of early voting opportunities rather than waiting until Election Day.
"We want to provide as many opportunities for people to participate civically as possible. And as I stated, Nov. 3 is official election day, but every day before in early voting is an official election day," Bond said.
Bond described taking part in early voting as a direct statement of personal investment in the community's future.
"You are showing up to say I care about what happens, I care about what decisions are made, I care about what goes on," Bond said.
Nationwide push across all 50 states
Dig deeper:
The Georgia events were part of a coordinated national mobilization featuring nearly 3,000 "No Kings: Vote Early" events planned across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Organized by the No Kings Coalition, which includes groups such as Indivisible, the ACLU, Black Voters Matter Fund, the American Federation of Teachers, MoveOn, and the League of Women Voters, the activations ranged from tailgates and festivals to marches culminating at ballot drop-off locations.
Organizers described the push as the largest single-day early voting mobilization of the election cycle, emphasizing nonviolent civic action and nonpartisan voter turnout.
What we don't know:
Organizers have not released total crowd numbers or turnout estimates for the events held across Georgia.
What's next:
Early voting across Georgia continues through Friday, Oct. 30. Voters will make their final decisions when polls open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The Source: Information in this article was gathered from on-scene broadcast reporting by FOX 5 reporter Kim Leoffler in Smyrna and an official news release from the No Kings Coalition.