'No Kings' demonstrations urge early voting with events planned in Weaverville, Asheville
WEAVERVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Another series of nationwide "No Kings" opposing the current administration and encouraging people to vote are scheduled in western North Carolina.
In previous "No Kings" demonstrations, Weaverville residents joined participates in Asheville. But this time Weaverville has its own event, giving demonstrators another place to make their voices heard.
"Just vote, vote, vote," said Leslie Boyd, a tri-chair for the North Carolina Poor People's Campaign.
"Currently we are all in terrible danger from the people that are running our country," said Donna, the Democratic Precinct Chair for Downtown Weaverville.
Donna is organizing a "No Kings" demonstration in Weaverville on Saturday, Oct. 17.
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She says that while this is the fourth time "No Kings" demonstrations have been held across the country, this is the first time one has been held in Weaverville.
"The other events have mostly been based in Asheville, but we wanted to do something local because our polling site is right there at the Weaverville Community center," Donna said.
She says the purpose of the demonstrations tomorrow is to encourage people to vote early.
"We need to elect folks who can get in there and take away the tariffs and stop the war in Iran and bring down peoples’ prices," Donna said.
"If you want a higher minimum wage, if you want a living wage, if you want healthcare, if you want to make sure elections are fair and open, then vote, because it’s the only way we’re gonna make change happen," said Boyd.
Boyd is helping organize the "No Kings" event in Asheville on Saturday, and she’s done it the last three times as well.
News 13 reached out to Asheville Police Department to learn about its efforts to ensure safety.
Rick Rice with APD emailed us back saying in part, “We will be monitoring the event, and specialty teams have been placed on standby if needed, while also responding to the needs of the rest of the city."
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"The police are aware of what we’re doing and we’ve never had any incidents," said Boyd.
Chief Somer Oberlin with the Weaverville Police Department says they’ll monitor the demonstration, but she says the organizers haven’t had issues in the past.
Donna says they’re hoping for 50 to a 100 people at the Weaverville demonstration.
Boyd is hoping for even more at the Asheville one.
"We’re hoping to get 500 to a 1,000 people, but the last time we said that we got about 3,000," said Boyd.
"I think we'll have a good turnout," Donna said.
You can find a map of demonstrations tomorrow on the "No Kings" website.