TOPEKA (KSNT) – Vice President JD Vance is getting ready to speak in Topeka, but some people are planning to protest his visit.
Republican Party officials announced last week that Vance would be visiting Topeka for a rally on Monday, Oct. 26. The rally will be held at 2828 NW Button Rd. north of Topeka.
Some local residents are planning to make their voices heard as Vance arrives in the Capital City. Local resident Ellen Johnson with Indivisible Topeka said in an interview with 27 News on Oct. 25 that protesters are set to gather in a “free-speech zone” outside Lesser Electric located at 3239 NW 25th St.
“All we know is that we have a free-speech zone out here in front of Lesser Electric,” Johnson said. “And I haven’t gotten any answers from the sheriff’s department yet about whether or not we can stand in the east or elsewhere. I know that this is the free-speech zone they told us that you can stand in. That doesn’t sound very much like free speech to me. I’m gonna be sure to exercise that as much as possible tomorrow, and I know a lot of other people really are coming out here.”
Johnson said she expects others to join her in protesting Vance’s visit.
Kansas GOP Chair Danedri Herbert said in a press release on Oct. 22 that Vance is a “fighter for working families” and that his arrival in Topeka is coming at the right time.
“With Election Day just days away, this rally is a chance for Republicans across our state to come together, show our energy, and finish strong,” Herbert said. “We can’t wait to see a packed house on Monday.”
Doors open for the rally at 2 p.m. with Vance set to begin speaking at 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 26.
Kansans will cast their votes in the upcoming general election on Nov. 3. For more information about the upcoming election, head to the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
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