A man shared his message, “I Love America,” at a No Kings rally in San Diego County Saturday Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Calista Stocker/Times of San Diego)
The second round of “No Kings” protests proved to be a party on Saturday in San Diego.
Though Republicans in recent days have labeled the events across the country as “Hate America” rallies, thousands of San Diegans, bearing signs and donning costumes, sought to tell a different tale.
“No Kings” organizers refer to the protests as a nonviolent day of action against the Trump administration. Approximately 25,000 people showed up in downtown San Diego alone, according to police estimates, with thousands more gathering at events across the region.
An estimated 7 million people turned out in cities and towns across the nation Saturday, organizers said, 2 million more than the last “No Kings” protest on June 14.
“I’ve been protesting my whole life for America. Everything. Back to the ‘60s,” said resident Bob Begin, who attended “No Kings” in El Cajon. “Today’s the most important one, because it matters to our grandkids, to our children. It’s up to us.”
In late September, President Donald Trump referred to Portland as “war-ravaged” and “like living in hell.” In response, Portlanders dressed in inflatable animal costumes while protesting against 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 Saturday.
Marchers (and their pets!) also donned costumes — ranging from animals to mermaids to the Statue of Liberty. And music was a part of the day, with participants playing instruments and dancing, lending a festive atmosphere to the rallies despite their serious purpose.
The crowd in San Diego Saturday Oct. 18, 2025, at the downtown “No Kings” rally. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
There were 16 “No Kings” events in San Diego County alone. Times of San Diego visited four of them to observe and share protesters’ thoughts.
Civic Center and Waterfront Park
In downtown San Diego, people spread across three locations and converged to march up Pacific Highway. A purple hippo and blue shark set the tone, dancing in Waterfront Park to the beat of a drumming circle.
Along the way, protesters enjoyed a DJ, one-man band and even bagpipes. Some of those without instruments improvised, slapping out a beat on upside-down buckets.
Lashaan Crane and her husband brought their percussion instruments. “We are both musicians, so it felt right to bring the pulse and the drum to the march. And to spread the love.”
A father-son veteran duo marched alongside each other. Mario Posada Sr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.
“As a 17-year-old, I volunteered to risk 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 with the U.S. Air Force. As a queer Latino veteran, Mario Posada Jr. is concerned about Trump’s attacks on marginalized service members.
Eileen Johnson shares her message at the downtown “No Kings” rally on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Sophia Sleap/Times of San Diego)
“I did not serve my country for this,” he said. “I don’t want to trade a democracy for a dictatorship.”
Eileen Johnson had similar concerns. She came out for her first protest, at 82 years old.
“This is the first time I felt like I really had to do something,” she said. “I can’t stand what Trump is doing to our democracy. I’m seriously worried that we’re losing our rights and our democracy.”
Ruocco Park
The protest drew people of all ages, even little ones. Children rallied alongside their parents at a kid-friendly addition to “No Kings” in Ruocco Park.
Children played at the park until the larger protest met them on Harbor Drive. Approximately 60 children and parents lined the street chanting, “This is what democracy looks like!”
The event was organized by San Diego Families for Justice, which provides meet-ups for parents and kids to take action for 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 old showed up, alongside toddlers and big kids.
El Cajon
Along Fletcher Parkway, an estimated 3,000 people staked out spots in lawn chairs and truck beds, many of them older East County residents continuing their civic engagement.
Bob Begin may be in his 70s now, but said he stays politically active for the sake of his children and grandchildren.
“It’s our country … We cannot let this happen,” Begin said. “We won’t let this happen because we’ve got children and grandchildren who are still growing up and going through the ranks. And if we don’t do it, nobody will.”
Many protesters treated “No Kings El Cajon” like a family reunion, bringing music, waving American flags and donning signs with slogans such as “I Love America” and “Hate Never Made Anything Great.”
Mary Utley was one of many in costume, but she didn’t dress as an animal or character. She donned Revolutionary War military attire and played 18th-century music.
“My symbolism is democracy, quite honestly, and what the (forefathers) wanted this country to be, which I feel the current regime is not following,” Utley said, explaining her costume.
“I also come from ancestors from the Revolutionary War. We’ve been here since the 1600s, so I kind of wanted to represent that as well. And just get out here and let our voices be heard, that it is ‘We the People of the United States,’ not ‘I, a wannabe dictator.’”
College Area
A slightly smaller, but mighty bunch also showed up for “No Kings College Area” at the intersection of Montezuma Road and College Avenue.
Kiersten Ciallella considers herself politically active, having attended protests before, but the solidarity she felt Saturday left her emotional.
“It gives me some hope and something to hold on to, quite frankly,” Ciallella said. “Because I feel as though there are so many times we’re in isolation from each other. And when we come together, we feel united, and we feel more powerful and strong, especially when there is so much overt attempt to silence people.”
For second-year history student Pauʻu Vaipula, this was her first-ever protest.
“I was kind of scared to come, seeing the brutality of it all and how serious that it could get,” Vaipula said. “But honestly, nothing’s 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 deep digging and think of all the people that have impacted your life, because that is where people start to care about things, when it affects them. Even though it shouldn’t be like that,” she said. “Think about your teachers, your friends, your parents, your relatives, everybody. This affects everyone.
“So I think just digging down, finding that empathy and being able to extend it to others is the biggest part.”
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