Roughly 150 people attended the “No Kings: Vote Early” rally in Manhattan. While still protesting the actions of the Trump administration, the fourth in the series of ‘No Kings’ rallies placed a greater emphasis on action through voting.
Indivisible MHK, a pro-democracy grassroots progressive organization, hosted the rally on Oct. 17 at City Park. Protestors lined up on the north side of Poyntz Avenue, displaying handmade signs and flags expressing displeasure with the political status quo and a hope for change.
Philip Nel, Indivisible MHK board member and K-State university distinguished professor, said the best result of the protest would be fostering a sense of hope from a local to national level.
“I think the biggest outcome is solidarity and the knowledge that you are not alone, that you are not the only one noticing that things aren’t going as they should in democracy,” Nel said. “I think that’s the biggest thing because when you realize that you are not alone, you have hope, and when you have hope, you can act.”
Nel also said the event would see one major difference when compared to the previous “No Kings” rallies: a highlight on voting.
“In terms of the No Kings protests in general, I think this is a much lower-key event,” Nel said. “We’re really focused on getting out the vote, encouraging people to go canvassing, do phone banking; our local NAACP is organizing rides to the polls because we’re encouraging people to vote in person. … It has the same name, but not quite the same vibe.”
Nel also gave reassurance to those who may have doubts about voting, saying their votes and their voice do count.
“There are those that say, ‘My vote doesn’t count, my vote doesn’t matter, I can’t do anything,’ it’s not true,” Nel said. “You can. And it may not seem like much, but numbers matter, and numbers really matter in a midterm because fewer people show up. If you show up, your vote matters even more.”
Diana Caldwell, a Manhattan resident, said she is dissatisfied with the Trump administration, specifically its actions related to immigration enforcement.
“[Trump] has taken over our abilities to act in democratic ways not only in this country but abroad,” Caldwell said. “He feels that, as the top person in this country, he has the right to bring about his desires rather than the desires of the people. He’s taking [immigration policy] to the point where we are mimicking the Nazis during World War II.”
Lori Goetsch, a retiree living in Manhattan, said her experience with activism in the past motivates her activism of the present.
“I’m in my 70s, and when I was in my 20s, I marched for the Equal Rights Amendment, and I marched for abortion rights for women,” Goetsch said. “And all those things have taken a step backward in this administration. And that really concerns me; the treatment of women, women’s health, and women’s employment is a big issue for me.”
Kathy Sargent, a Manhattan resident, said that it was vital for people to vote and voice their opinions.
“My sign says, ‘Vote, it’s our only way out,’ and our goal today is to get people to go vote early so that more people get to the polls ahead of time,” Sargent said. “We think that voting is super important, no matter what politics you’re with. I feel like our country is in a bad place. I’d like to see it improve, and speaking my voice is about the only way I can think to do it.”
Monty Enright, a Manhattan resident, said he wanted to see political tensions cool in our society through better cooperation.
“I’m hoping we’ll be able to push people to get out and vote,” Enright said. “Obviously, I want them to vote one direction, but we’re just hoping to push democracy. … I think where democracy works better is when there’s a split between red and blue, and I’m hopeful we can move to a more peaceful existence.”
Though the deadline to register to vote has passed, early voting has begun. Advance voting is on select dates on the second floor of the Riley County Office building at 110 Courthouse Plaza. Regular voting locations are listed on the Riley County website, and absentee ballots are also available.
