‘No Kings’ rallies return to San Diego County, with 40,000 marchers on downtown streets

The third “No Kings” protests swept across San Diego County Saturday, with tens of thousands of protesters — young and old — unifying across a wide range of issues against President Donald Trump’s administration.

“For those who are first timers, welcome to the resistance. Welcome to the ‘No Kings’ rally!” said local labor union president Crystal Irving.

The Waterfront Park protest has grown substantially since last June’s first major “No Kings” event, rising from 20,000, according to San Diego police, to approximately 40,000 people.

They marched through downtown, as part of the nationwide movement, their steps emphasized by loud music, as they wore costumes, and bore launchers to fill the air with bubbles. Beyond the city center, San Diegans gathered at 18 locations across the region, from Oceanside to El Centro.

Some signs focused on Trump directly, while others called out specific issues and entities, a list that has grown since October. War with Iran, the Epstein files, government surveillance, and ICE activity were among Saturday’s biggest concerns, based on protesters’ signs. Many issues carried over from previous rallies, including immigration enforcement, abortion rights and the Israel-Palestine war.

Some of the people marching said there were things that had upset them during Trump’s second term, but many had slipped to the back of their minds as new issues developed. The gathering, they said, and the grievances illustrated on signs and banners, served to remind them of all the current and lingering issues at hand.

Slogans on signs included plays on words, from calling the GOP “Guardians of Pedophiles,” to altering MAGA to stand for “Morons are Governing America” or “Molesting Adolescent Girls Allowed.” Other very popular signs read:  “Same Sh*t, Different Hat,” atop photos of a MAGA hat, KKK hood, a confederate cap and a Nazi soldier’s hat; “You can’t bomb your way out of the Epstein files” and “Smile Palantir is watching you,” in reference to the data software company chaired by tech magnate Peter Thiel.  

Kevin Machado held a sign that read “No corporate kings. No SDG&E kings.” He said like most, there are too many reasons to list why he is protesting, but one of the first things that came to his mind was the war in Iran. Seeing signs about the Epstein files was a reminder of that issue for him.

“I had kind of put it to the back of my mind, but it’s such a big issue, all of the victims who are not getting justice,” Machado said.

Elousia Sanchez is a 24-year veteran of the Marine Corps, who was formerly stationed in San Diego. This is her first time protesting in America.

“Now that I’m retired, I can actually speak my voice without being prosecuted for it. President Trump has assaulted me as a Mexican, an immigrant, a woman, a veteran — the list goes on and on. It’s a shame someone like him was elected to the highest office,” said Sanchez.

The USS Boxer carried 2,200 Marines from Camp Pendleton to the Middle East on March 20. Sanchez describes this as a “touchy subject.”

“I was in before 9/11. Right after, we went to Kuwait, Iraq and Syria. It’s shameful that more innocent lives will be lost for this man and all his friends to keep getting rich. Whether (the casualties are) ours or theirs, it’s unfounded and embarrassing,” said Sanchez.

Many older participants came out to support younger generations. Saturday was Scott and Janice McFarlane’s first “No Kings” rally together. Both remember a version of America that they could “feel proud of.” Now, it is “altered to the point of being unrecognizable,” according to Scott.

“Young people are so discouraged right from the start, they’ve lost hope — that just breaks my heart. You care more about your kids and grandkids, you want the world to be better for them,” said Janice.

Ava Stieler is a student at SDSU who came to protest the war. Her girlfriend is a Marine who was a month away from returning home, before being sent to the Middle East to fight a war “she doesn’t agree with” according to Stieler.

“This is the future of our country. It’s our job to make sure our country stays a democracy, stays faithful to its roots and the Constitution,” said Stieler. “I appreciate all the older generations coming out and supporting (the rally). It’s so heartwarming to see people with canes and wheelchairs leaving their houses to protest what’s going on.”

“It’s up to younger generations to make sure that this movement continues,” said Stieler.

Many protesters were focused on the midterm elections, believing that casting their ballots in November will set the country back on track. 

Sarah Flores and Chris Horgan got off of their cruise ship as the No Kings protest started. They are from Philadelphia and said they have attended most protests in their city. When they docked Saturday morning, they saw the march and immediately jumped in.

“I do have to say I’m surprised to see the number of people here because I just didn’t know what to expect, I’ve never been here before,” Flores said of being in San Diego.

Both Flores and Horgan said it was encouraging to see all of the different signs and issues that people were passionate about, but it also points toward how rapidly things have been changing., That feeling was heightened on their cruise as they lacked access to cell service while at sea.

“You can no longer not have internet for a week, come back and nothing has changed. There are more atrocities,” Horgan said.

Both of them agreed that the march was a joyful one.

“I think it’s interesting because in Philly, we tend to be, or appear more aggressive, but I kind of like the idea of bringing joy,” Flores said. “It’s not just us being angry, it’s about imagining what kind of world we could have.”

Another added element for the March rally? Vendors looking to capitalize on the event through selling “No Kings” merchandise. Along the main set-up of booths near the fountain in front of the County Administration Building, different organizations offered information alongside vendors who sold shirts. They also walked among the crowds selling large “No Kings” flags.

Smaller “No Kings” rallies took place in all parts of the county, including El Cajon, where around 200 people packed along three blocks holding signs in support of preserving democracy and referring to the Epstein files. In Chula Vista along Broadway at H Street, up to 150 marched, held signs, such as “No ICE, no war, no Trump,” and urged motorists at the busy intersection to honk to show their support. 

Engagement producer Tessa Balc contributed to this story.