No Kings VoteFest Brings Early-Voting Message to Washington Square Park

VoteFest NYC — Long Live the Vote

A VoteFest NYC sign introduces the voting-focused No Kings gathering at Washington Square Park.

F. Murray Abraham at VoteFest NYC

Actor F. Murray Abraham speaks during No Kings: VoteFest NYC at Washington Square Park.

Voices From the Crowd

Participants hold signs and respond during the VoteFest NYC gathering in Washington Square Park.

Brad Hoylman-Sigal Speaks

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal addresses the crowd during the No Kings VoteFest gathering.

Jumaane Williams Addresses the Crowd

NYC Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams speaks during VoteFest NYC at Washington Square Park.

Rev. Al Sharpton at VoteFest NYC

Rev. Al Sharpton addresses attendees during the No Kings voting-focused gathering.

Defend Democracy

A participant dressed as the Statue of Liberty joins the VoteFest NYC gathering with a “Defend” sign.

Stop Sitting Out — Vote

Participants display voting-themed signs encouraging civic participation and voter turnout.

Za’riah Jones at the Microphone

Youth poet Za’riah Jones speaks during No Kings: VoteFest NYC at Washington Square Park.

Date: October 17, 2026
Location: Washington Square Park, Manhattan, New York

Hundreds gathered at Washington Square Park for No Kings: VoteFest NYC, a voting-focused gathering that combined speeches, music, poetry and civic activities ahead of the midterm elections. Organizers promoted early voting, voter registration and election participation. Indivisible

Among those who addressed the crowd were Rev. Al Sharpton, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, actor F. Murray Abraham, youth poet Za’riah Jones, and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, along with other speakers and performers throughout the afternoon.

Signs across the park emphasized voting, civic participation and opposition to concentrated political power, while attendees were encouraged to check their registration and make plans to vote early. The event was part of the broader No Kings: Vote Early campaign, which shifted this round of demonstrations toward voter mobilization.