No Kings rallies aim to translate protest energy into early voting push

Organizers of the No Kings movement in Michigan are shifting their focus from street demonstrations to the ballot box, planning dozens of local rallies, marches and community gatherings Saturday to encourage residents to vote early in the November election.

The latest mobilization, dubbed “No Kings 4: Vote Early,” will include events across Michigan, with organizers emphasizing voter registration, early voting and helping residents understand their voting options. The gatherings are part of a nationwide effort that organizers said includes thousands of events. They encouraged residents to find local events at NoKings.org.

The Michigan Freedom Coalition initially announced 75 events in a news release, while speakers at Tuesday’s news conference said the number had grown to 78, including in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Traverse City, Bay City, Saginaw, Muskegon, Battle Creek, Canton and Ferndale. While previous demonstrations have drawn large crowds protesting President Donald Trump’s administration and its policies, organizers said this time their emphasis is on turning that energy into civic participation ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Read the full story at michiganadvance.com.