As early voting approaches in New York, residents gathered along Sunrise Highway in Merrick for a No Kings rally focused on voter participation, government accountability and the role of residents in choosing their elected representatives.
The Bellmore-Merrick American Democratic Club and the South Shore Women’s Alliance organized the Oct. 17 gathering near the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station. With early voting scheduled to begin Oct. 24 and Election Day set for Nov. 3, organizers encouraged eligible voters to learn about their options, make a plan to vote and participate in the electoral process.
The rally was part of the broader No Kings movement, which has brought people together to express concerns about the concentration of political power and government accountability. Unlike demonstrations focused primarily on protest, the Vote Early event was promoted as a nonpartisan effort to increase voter participation across Nassau County.
Claudia Borecky, president of the Bellmore-Merrick American Democratic Club and the South Shore Women’s Alliance, said the rally was designed to place particular emphasis on the approaching early-voting period, while continuing the groups’ broader efforts to encourage civic engagement and how local elections also affect their communities.
“Politics is local, you know, think global, act local,” Borecky said.
Roughly 250 people had registered for the event, Borecky said, with about half of the registrants were new participants. She said the growing interest reflected participation from people who had not previously been politically active.
Former Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, who led the rally, emphasized voting as a way for residents to express their priorities and respond to concerns about the economy and government policy.
“The message is people should get out and vote,” Denenberg said.
Hazel Leon, founder of Así Vamos NY, is an advocate that works with Nassau County’s immigrant community. Leon said the No Kings movement brings together people concerned about constitutional protections, checks and balances, and the concentration of government power.
The rally also offered an opportunity to encourage voter participation and raise concerns about election security, Leon said. She urged attendees to continue conversations about civic involvement with family members and others in their communities.
“Remember that other people on the street are fighting for you too,” she said.
Vicki Rich, an East Meadow resident who said she had attended several previous rallies, attended because it was the closest location hosting an event of this kind. She cited rising costs and concerns about the country’s direction as reasons for her involvement.
Political engagement should extend beyond demonstrations and include participating in elections, Rich said.
“I think it’s important to keep reminding people they have to be a participant in the voting process if they want to participate in the country,” she said.
Another attendee, Linda Caniano, of Massapequa, said she hoped the gathering would encourage people to think critically about political issues and make informed decisions.
“You have to vote like your country depends on it,” Caniano said.
Cathy Fitzgerald, of Wantagh, a member of the Bellmore-Merrick American Democratic Club, said the group regularly holds rallies and canvasses neighborhoods to encourage civic participation. She said she attended the event to show that residents remain engaged in public issues.
Fitzgerald also raised concerns about the treatment of immigrants, saying families should not have to live in fear in their communities.
“Your vote does count, and you have to get out,” she said.
