Activists rally at Market Square for early voting push

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Northeast Ohio residents gathered at Market Square Park on Saturday afternoon for the “No Kings” rally and march, part of a statewide “No Kings: Vote Early” effort to encourage early voting and recruit Election Day volunteers.

Hundreds rallied and marched ahead of the midterm elections.

Calls for early voting

One Protester said casting a ballot is critical when they feel elections are under threat.

“We need to stand up. We need to fight for our rights,” Dadisman said.

He said he attended with the next generation in mind.

“For our democracy, for my grandchildren, for my children to have a freedom of life, to be able to be women and be powerful, not to be put down and judged because of who they are. We’re here for immigration,” he said.

Local leaders said the goal is two-fold — get people to vote now and sign-up election protection volunteers and vote observers.

Leaders urge organizing

Councilwoman Stephanie Howse Jones called on the crowd to get organized and activate.

“Over these next 13 days, I am asking each and every one of you to take the power that is within you and rally your neighbors, rally your families, rally the stranger on the street to let them know we have to fight back,” Howse Jones said.

Addressing attendees as neighbors, Howse Jones said the time to act is now.

“I want everybody to take a minute to look around. These are our neighbors. This is our community. Everybody is here because we say what is happening in our country should not be happening in the year 2026, right? We are here. We are getting organized,” Howse Jones said. “This is our time. We cannot stand by idly and let what is happening in this country continue to go on,” Howse Jones said.

Similar rallies happened Saturday in Hudson, Fremont and Findlay, and at the Statehouse in Columbus, along with many other communities across the country.

19 News has also reached out to the White House for comment on the protest.