At smaller No Kings event, participants stress importance of voting

NEWBERRY — About two dozen people gathered Saturday at a busy intersection in GOP-heavy Newberry County to encourage people to vote early.

Even for Newberry, it was a smaller gathering than past No Kings Day rallies, said Amy Harpool, who’s organized all four No Kings rallies in this city of about 11,000 people.

But she wasn’t discouraged, noting the response from drivers-by was also better: mostly supportive honks this time.

“It’s important for us just to be out there,” said the 60-year-old mom. “You never know who you’ll inspire to get involved, to vote, and to know you’re not alone.”

The Newberry demonstration was among thousands of events planned nationwide, including roughly 20 in South Carolina, according to the No Kings event map.

Unlike prior No Kings protests of the second Trump administration, Saturday’s events were declared nonpartisan and focused on getting people to vote.

In South Carolina, two weeks of early voting starts Monday. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Liz Rivera, the county’s executive committeewoman in the state Democratic Party, said she showed up Saturday to encourage everyone to vote, not just Democrats.

“I just can’t sit home and do nothing,” said Rivera, a Spanish interpreter, whose shirt advertised a Democrat running to oust the local Republican in the state House.

Two years ago, Trump won Newberry County by more than 34 percentage points, compared to nearly 18 points statewide over Vice President Kamala Harris.

The U.S. Senate race in South Carolina is getting the most attention nationally. Political forecasters indicate the contest between Sen. Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews has narrowed. The Cook Political Report rates it “likely Republican.”

But voters will also decide who will be South Carolina’s next governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner and comptroller general. Other statewide races with incumbents running are superintendent of education, treasurer, and secretary of state.

Fannie Hopkins, a 76-year-old retiree in Newberry County, said she used to think a Democrat couldn’t win statewide office again in South Carolina. It’s been 20 years since that happened.

But she’s hopeful.

“I certainly hope that we are moving in that direction, that we can come close to it if we don’t even do it, because we definitely need some change,” Hopkins said.

Casey Tyler, of Chapin, held a sign that read “country over party.” The 39-year-old animal rights activist said he participated Saturday because he wants to help make the world better for younger generations.

“You should not vote just based on a party. Actually look and consider and think about who’s going to be making all the laws that govern gas prices and everything else that happens to us,” Tyler said.

Paul Pronovost came from Hodges in Greenwood County to participate.

The 70-year-old retiree said he mostly voted for Republicans until Trump ran in 2016. He said he believes Trump “corrupted” the Republican Party.