The second round of “No kingsThe protests turned out to be a party in San Diego on Saturday.
Although Republicans in recent days have labeled events across the country as “ “Hate America” ralliesthousands of San Diegans, with signs and costumes, tried to tell a different story.
“No Kings” organizers see the protests as a nonviolent day of action against the Trump administration. About 25,000 Police estimates say people showed up in downtown San Diego alone, while thousands more gathered at events across the region.
An estimated seven million people showed up in cities and towns across the country on Saturday, organizers said, two million more than the last “No Kings” protest on June 14.
“I’ve been protesting for America my whole life. Everything. Back to the ’60s,” said resident Bob Begin, who attended ‘No Kings’ in El Cajon. “Today is the most important, because it is important for our grandchildren, for our children. It is up to us.”
In late September, President Donald Trump called Portland “war-ravaged” and “like living in hell.” In response, Portlanders dressed in inflatable animal costumes while protesting the federal government’s deployment of the National Guard.
That response quickly went viral on social media, and San Diegans were apparently inspired by Portlanders on Saturday.
Protesters (and their pets!) also wore costumes – ranging from animals to mermaids to the Statue of Liberty. And music was part of the day, with participants playing instruments and dancing, lending a festive atmosphere to the gatherings despite their serious purpose.
There were sixteen “No Kings” events in San Diego County alone. San Diego Times visited four to observe and share the thoughts of the demonstrators.
Civic Center and Waterfront Park
In downtown San Diego, people spread out to three locations and gathered to march up the Pacific Highway. A purple hippo and a blue shark set the tone, dancing in Waterfront Park to the beat of a drum circle.
Along the way, demonstrators enjoyed a DJ, one-man band and even bagpipes. Some without instruments improvised and hit on upside-down buckets.
Lashaan Crane and her husband brought their percussion instruments. “We’re both musicians, so it felt good to bring the pulse and the drum into the march. And to spread the love.”
A father-son veteran duo marched side by side. Mario Posada Sr. served in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam.
“As a 17-year-old, I voluntarily risked my life to serve my country and defend our democracy,” he said. “That’s why I’m here today – to defend our democracy.”
His 27-year-old son served in Yemen in the U.S. Air Force. As a queer Latino veteran, Mario Posada Jr. concerned about Trump’s attacks on marginalized military personnel.
“I didn’t serve my country for this,” he said. “I don’t want to exchange a democracy for a dictatorship.”
Eileen Johnson had similar concerns. She came out of the closet for her first protest, at the age of 82.
“This is the first time I feel like I really have to do something,” she says. “I cannot stand what Trump is doing to our democracy. I am deeply concerned that we are losing our rights and our democracy.”
Ruocco Park
The protest attracted people of all ages, even the little ones. Children gathered with their parents at a kid-friendly addition to “No Kings” in Ruocco Park.
Children played in the park until the larger protest met them on Harbor Drive. About sixty children and parents lined the street and chanted, “This is what democracy looks like!”
The event was organized by San Diego Families for Justicewhich offers meetings for parents and children to take action on progressive causes.
“Big marches can be overwhelming for kids. Little legs can’t always go that far,” said Lisa Riggs, who co-founded the group with Nancy Behm earlier this year. “We wanted to create a space where we can show up and invite others to join us.”
Parents with babies as young as 7 months showed up, along with toddlers and big kids.
The Cajon
Along Fletcher Parkway, an estimated 3,000 people have staked out spots in lawn chairs and truck beds, many of them older East County residents continuing their community involvement.
Bob Begin may be in his 70s now, but says he remains politically active for the sake of his children and grandchildren.
“It’s our country… We can’t let this happen,” Begin said. “We will not let this happen because we have children and grandchildren who are still growing up and going through the ranks. And if we don’t do it, no one will.”
Many protesters treated “No Kings El Cajon” as a family reunion, playing music, waving American flags and donning signs with slogans like “I Love America” and “Hate Never Made Anything Great.”
Mary Utley was one of many in costume, but she did not dress as an animal or character. She wore Revolutionary War military clothing and played 18th century music.
“My symbolism is democracy, honestly, and what the (ancestors) wanted this country to be, which I don’t think the current regime is following,” Utley said, explaining her costume.
“I also come from Revolutionary War ancestry. We’ve been here since the 17th century, so I kind of wanted to represent that too. And get out here and let our voices be heard, that it’s ‘We, the people of the United States,’ and not ‘I, a wannabe dictator.'”
College area
A slightly smaller but powerful group also showed up for “No Kings College Area” at the intersection of Montezuma Road and College Avenue.
Kiersten Ciallella considers herself politically active and has attended protests before, but the solidarity she felt on Saturday made her emotional.
“It gives me some hope and something to hold on to, honestly,” Ciallella said. “Because I feel like so often we are isolated from each other. And when we come together, we feel united and we feel more powerful and stronger, especially when there are so many overt attempts to silence people.”
For second-year history student Pau’u Vaipula, this was her very first protest.
“I was a little scared to come because I saw how brutal it all was and how serious it could get,” Vaipula said. “But honestly, nothing is more brutal than the actual outcome of [the administration].”
For other young people like her, who may be hesitant to attend a protest, Vaipula suggests bringing a friend.
“Do some digging and think about all the people who have had an impact on your life, because that’s where people start to worry about things, when it affects them. Even though it shouldn’t,” she said. “Think about your teachers, your friends, your parents, your relatives, everyone. This affects everyone.
“So I think finding that empathy and being able to extend it to others is the biggest part.”
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