No Kings! across western NC
More than 25,000 patriots rallied at thirteen No Kings events across western North Carolina this weekend. That’s a big bump up from the roughly 16,000 who attended the WNC No Kings rallies in June.
More than half of this weekend’s rally goers (about 13-15K) were in the mainly rural WNC counties that both Democrats and Republicans have long considered to be terminally GOP-dominated. That’s roughly triple the number who showed up for Hands Off rallies in those counties in April.
Nationwide, the most reliable early estimate I’ve seen is 4.2 to 7.6 million.
Scroll down for county-by-county coverage of all WNC rallies. All quotes are from eyewitnesses, lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
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Buncombe County
Two separate events here today, in Black Mountain and Asheville.
In Asheville, the numbers are hard to estimate, but every eyewitness I’ve heard from saw more people than the 8-10K we saw at Asheville’s June No Kings rally. My best guess would be at least 12,000 yesterday. This aerial view of College Street confirms the large crowd size:
From Asheville rally goers: “It was fantastic and joyous and hopeful. And really, really, really large! I was shocked how many people there were.” See also Mountain Xpress 10/18 (their 6K crowd estimate is much too low, but photos good). The photo at lower right is Richard Hudspeth, Democratic NC-11 congressional candidate:
In Black Mountain: “It was a great success! Our friend who does our count each week for our every Monday at 5 demonstrations at Town Square studied the crowd—on all four corners of the main intersection in town, and going up and down the streets on all four corners, an estimated 2,400 participants. It was jam packed!!” And from another rally goer: “Amazing. I can’t stop crying. Town square and streets for several blocks lined with folks several deep. Peaceful, joyful, and seriously standing up for what we want to be the American way.”
Clay County
In Hayesville, “We had another incredible turnout today! 624 people gathered to share their love for this country and democracy. We have always had more positive than negative feedback from passersby but today was easily 9 to 1 positive. Singers, drummers, unicorns, dinosaurs, and some very creative signs. Such love and determination! We the People have had enough.”
Henderson County
“The crowd estimate according to the Hendersonville police was 2500-3000.” This is clearly too low—it matches the estimate for the June No Kings rally, and this crowd was obviously larger. An estimate after the event, using crowd photos, came to 4000-6500. “We had an enthusiastic crowd with no problems, lots of amazing signs, and good speakers.” See also Asheville C-T 10/18 here and photo gallery here.
Jackson County
In Sylva, “We combined forced with Hands Off Haywood [where the annual apple festival this weekend precluded a rally in Waynesville] and had several speakers including several Western Carolina University students, a member of the EBCI, a pediatrician, and a 94-year-old activist. We think we had 1300+ people but we’re working to have a more accurate count. We did use a drone which may help the count. It was definitely more people than the [estimated 1000 at the] No Kings event in June.” Another rally goer noted the “very peaceful and loving atmosphere.”
Note: Updated count, from drone video: 1300-1500.
Macon County
Two events here, one in Franklin (on Friday, due to the annual pumpkin festival on Saturday), one in Highlands.
In Franklin, on No Kings Eve: “We had peaceful rally with 190 democracy-loving people (ages 9-90) letting their voices be heard. Every rally brings new faces and one thing I noticed was more men showing up! Not bad for a Friday afternoon in Franklin, NC!”
And in Highlands: “700+ peeps with great spirit! Lots of folks who were in Highlands for the fall weekend saw the rally and joined in. Only one agitator, who we pretty much ignored. Great signs!"
McDowell County
In Marion, “About 325 people turned out on a warm October morning in front of the McDowell Courthouse to celebrate and defend our democracy. We sang, chanted, danced, and blew bubbles to mostly receptive passersby. Bigfoot Books & Brews—a new business in town—provided free coffee. We didn’t have a Portland frog, but we did have an axolotl, a unicorn, and a shark! Two candidates—Candice Workman, who is running for Marion City Council, and Dr. Richard Hedspeth, a Democratic hopeful in the NC-11 race against Chuck Edwards next year—talked about their hopes for the future of wqestern NC. It was a terrific day. Our first No Kings! protest in June drew about 200 people, so we were really pleased with today’s turnout!”
Polk County
In Columbus, “We had an awesome rally! My count was 400 give or take, maybe, 25 or so.” And from another rally goer: “We had candidates speak for Congress District 14, NC House 113, and NC Senate 48. Lots of energy, good signs, and positive energy from being together in resistance and protest.”
Rutherford County
In Spindale, “We had an incredible turnout, and I used numbered stickers, so my count is absolutely accurate! We had 525!!! We had live music, local candidates Doyle Brown and Brent Caldwell spoke, people danced and wore costumes… it was amazing.”
Swain County
In Bryson City, “We started gathering an hour early and had a strong crowd by 1:30. We had a man in a MAGA hat show up looking for a fight. Our organizers isolated him from the crowd and Bryson City police removed him from the event. Over the next hour we had 300-325 attendees rallying, chanting, and celebrating democracy.”
Transylvania County
“Today over 1,400 Transylvanians joined the No Kings protest in Brevard! The crowd was energetic and positive with many creative signs. We are proud of the Transylvania County Democratic Party, Good Trouble Transylvania, Transylvania NAACP, and Transylvania Partners for Democracy, for coordinating and hosting this huge event!”
Yancey County
At the town square in Burnsville, “It was a great turnout. The vast majority of people driving by showed their support, and we had just one detractor that got told to knock it off by the police (driving around the square multiple times telling people to F-U). Ok, we had two detractors, the other being a shop owner that tried to get the police to make us leave. I don’t know how he answered her, but we stayed for another two hours. There were wonderful messages, wonderful camaraderie and wonderful costumes! The final tally was 710 people coming out today!”
At lower right that’s Batman watching over rally goers:
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What an awesome look at the strength of Western North Carolinians!! I grew u[ in the foothills and the mountains are my home! The picture of the beautiful sunset show that the orange is being overcome by the blue! A God-wink for sure! The Creator is watching. Our job is to be kind, help others, and stand tall and strong to bring down our immoral, unethical bully wannabes-be dictator!
It was such an amazing turnout in Asheville! It took about 20 minutes for us to begin marching because there were so many people! It was nice having it at night too. Many protesters went out before and afterwards supporting DT businesses.