Thousands of South Carolinians are expected to gather at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Statehouse to be a part of what organizers say will be the largest organized protest in American history.
A coalition of civil rights groups is pulling together millions of participants at more than 2,500 event sites in each state, Europe and Canada.
The nationwide protests coincide with an ongoing government shutdown, threatening federal workers and services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in several U.S. cities and the Trump administration’s musings about invoking the Insurrection Act to quash political dissent.
“We are under an authoritarian regime right now in the United States,” said Charleston County Democratic Party Chair Thomas Dixon. “But there are people who really want to preserve democracy.”
The massive protest follows the successful No Kings rallies that took place in June.
“The first version was very successful,” Indivisible Charleston organizer Kristy Kinney said. “It was the largest protest in American history, and it was organized by ordinary folks who wanted to show our dissent to this blatant authoritarianism.”
But despite their concerns about the current administration, organizers are calling on participants to remain peaceful, even if harassed by counterprotesters.
“The key is always to not engage,” Dixon said. “Continue to stay focused on the reason you are out. Nonviolent protest is the only means to success.”
Early voting set to begin October 20
With municipal elections for mayor and council scheduled across the state for Nov. 4, the S.C. Election Commission is reminding citizens that early voting is a quick and convenient way to make their voices heard.
The early voting period will run on weekdays from Oct. 20-31 at local polling locations listed on the scVOTES.gov website.
“Early voting is an increasingly important part of SCVotes’ mission to enhance voter accessibility,” said Interim Election Commission Director Jenny Wooten. “Building confidence and trust in early voting is another way we’re making sure every vote matters and every vote counts.”
Voters will need a valid S.C. identification card to participate, meaning a S.C. driver’s license, S.C. DMV ID card, S.C. voter registration card with photo, a federal military ID or a U.S. passport. For more details about in-person early voting or vote-by-mail options, visit scVOTES.gov.
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