Framingham Rallies To 'Count Every Vote' In Presidential Race

FRAMINGHAM, MA — With President Donald Trump seeking to stop vote counting in battleground states, demonstrators gathered in downtown Framingham on Wednesday afternoon to support the opposite — to count every outstanding vote in the Nov. 3 presidential election.

About 75 people attended the rally outside Memorial Hall, including state lawmakers, District 9 City Council Tracey Bryant and members from the MetroWest DSA, Transition Framingham and the MetroWest Immigrant Solidarity Network.

The Framingham rally was one of several around the state on Wednesday, including in Boston and Worcester. The rallies were organized by the national group Protect the Results in case Trump challenged the Nov. 3 results.

In a speech early Wednesday, Trump said he would challenge vote counting in the Supreme Court — and he has filed legal challenges to stop vote counting in Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania, all states where Joe Biden is either leading or might win.

Framingham rally organizer Amanda Shepard said Wednesday's rally happened without a call to action. The group Protect the Results was planning to send a nationwide alert to activists to take to the streets if it appeared that the election results were in jeopardy, but that call didn't go out.

READ: Hundreds Rally In Boston To Demand All Votes Be Counted

Even with Trump's legal challenges, Biden moved closer to 270 Electoral College votes on Wednesday evening with apparent victories in Wisconsin, Michigan and Arizona. Pennsylvania was also trending toward Biden with thousands of absentee ballots yet to be counted.

"So many people came with bright signs, it was such a safe and supportive environment for people to express themselves," Shepard said. "I'd especially like to thank the City of Framingham for permitting this event and working with the organizers with such urgency and short notice to help make this a safe and fun event for all."