At the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on Saturday, a large inflatable donkey bounced around next to a paper-mache replica of Donald Trump’s head. Next to both of them: a sign reading “VOTE EARLY.”
The donkey, the floating head and the voting sign were all part of the “No Kings: Vote Early” day of action. Thousands of gatherings across the country drew protestors, voters and grassroots organizers to the streets and to voting centers.
Organizers said the events were a nonpartisan effort to promote early voting in the midterm elections. The nationwide push to vote marks a pivot for the No Kings coalition, which comprises hundreds of partner organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Black Voters Matter.
“The first three No Kings were designed to send a message,” said Ezra Levin, the co-founder of Indivisible — one of the major organizations within the No Kings network. “We’re done sending a message.”
Now, he said, they want people to vote…