Davidson County Residents Join No Kings Day, Disability Access Takes Center Stage
By Vance Bailey/Davidson Local
An estimated 200 people gathered locally for No Kings Day on the 3rd, also referred to as 3.0, joining a growing national movement that continues to expand in both size and scope, even as it draws controversy across the country.
According to organizers, more than 8 million Americans participated in over 3,300 events nationwide. The previous No Kings Day event, held in October 2025, saw approximately 7 million people.
Locally, the rally also saw strong participation at the old Davidson County Courthouse, with attendees coming and going throughout the event. While some passing motorists voiced opposition from their vehicles, there were no organized counterprotesters present.
A defining feature of this year’s movement was its emphasis on accessibility, ensuring that people with disabilities were not just included, but centered.
Pamela “Kelly” McAfee, President of REV UP NC and a disability advocate, played a key role in connecting North Carolina communities to the broader national movement. Locally, McAfee has been actively working to improve access for Davidson County residents, particularly around voting rights and civic participation for people with disabilities.
“I am very happy with the turnout. We had a mix of people who show up all the time and some who never have attended any event like No Kings before. Everyone was committed to participate peacefully. I watched old friends reconnect and new friendships formed. I take to heart a saying my friend taught me, ‘When we organize with love in the center we win.’”
Alongside in-person events, organizers hosted an accessible online rally designed specifically to remove barriers for people with disabilities, as well as those unable to attend traditional protests. The event included American Sign Language interpretation, Spanish-language interpretation, and live captioning.
For many in Davidson County and across North Carolina, the accessible format created a meaningful way to engage in a national movement that might otherwise remain out of reach.
During her speech to the online audience, McAfee spoke directly about disability identity and the importance of inclusion.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to stand up for a community I belong to. I am a Neurodivergent woman. Let me be clear. We are not less than. We are not broken. We don’t need to be fixed. We need to be understood and have the opportunity to participate. And we need fact-based science to continue researching our condition and others. Lives depend on it.”
The inclusion of accessible programming reflects a broader shift within national movements, where disability advocates are increasingly shaping how civic engagement is designed and who it reaches.
There is no word yet on whether another No Kings Day event is planned, but the continued growth in participation suggests the movement is not slowing down.
