Marches organized by the No Kings network, which opposes US President Donald Trump, took place Saturday in cities and communities across the country, with the goal of urging people to vote early in the midterm elections.
No Kings had more than 3,000 events planned nationwide. This time the gatherings were branded "No Kings: Vote Early" and promoted as nonpartisan, though they are meant to build on nearly two years of marches and protests by those unhappy with Trump's presidency.
"This is a day of nonpartisan electoral participation: we are bringing communities together to plan to vote early and to make sure every eligible voter understands their voting options and has the chance to make their voice heard," organizers said in a statement.
By encouraging early voting, No Kings organizers hope to head off the potential for fraud when Election Day arrives.
At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, a band played for a few hundred people in hats and coats. Despite the cold weather, many in the crowd danced to the music. Signs reading "VOTE EARLY" and "HANDS OFF MY VOTE!" were held aloft.
At the march in Atlanta, City Council member Michael Julian Bond urged the crowd to press others to vote before the November 3 general election.
"The Constitution gives you a right, doesn't it? That's the right to vote. Are you going to use it?" he said.
"You don't see Superman give up his powers. You don't see Black Panther give up his powers. You don't see Wonder Woman give up her lasso. So why would you give up your right, your power and your duty to vote? Be a superhero, use your power. Go to the polls and vote," Bond continued.
Trump has long been skeptical of mail-in voting and has claimed without evidence that election fraud cost him the 2020 presidential election.
His administration on Thursday sued California election officials, asking a judge to bar the state from counting mail ballots in the midterms from people the federal government identifies as "potentially" noncitizens until their immigration status is confirmed.
On Friday, the Justice Department warned that local officials who process and count ballots sent in by voters suspected of being noncitizens are putting themselves at risk of criminal investigation and possible prosecution.
Earlier the same day, Democratic Senators Alex Padilla of California, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Dick Durbin of Illinois wrote to Attorney General Todd Blanche asking the Justice Department to commit not to seize ballots or other election materials before the midterms are certified.
