Protesters around the region had plenty to say at Saturday’s “No Kings” events in Southern California – including young kids. Here’s what was on some of their minds:
“We’re doing this for our families. We’ve got 12 grandkids, 5 great grandkids, and we’ve got to worry about what their futures are going to be like … and it’s not looking good, unless we can get this country back where it’s supposed to be and democracy in control.”
–Larry Bace of Fontana
“I don’t think we’re freer, I don’t think we’re safer. I think life is getting worse in the country for whole segments of the population, and obviously more vulnerable populations are living in fear. I just think this is not America.”
–Corey Leis of Long Beach, whose poodle was gussied up as an “Antifa K-9 Unit”
“We all know where our strength is: together. If we don’t stand up now, they could take it away — this democracy that we stand for. We’re still the United States of America; that means all of us, and the true king is the U.S. Constitution, not a wannabe dictator.”
–Claudia Hernandez of Corona
This administration is taking action unilaterally and that’s not right. I think there are literally millions who feel as we do. To participate in one of these (rallies) you get the sense of hope, that you’re not alone. It gives strength and encouragement … and the hope that we can see something turn around.”
–Gary Reinschmidt of Fontana
“Families are struggling, seniors are struggling, veterans are struggling,” Wilkinson said. “Our children are scared to go out. People are scared to go to work. There’s no reason for this to be going on right now.”
–Angela Wilkinson of San Bernardino
“I’ve seen this before, I lived through (martial law). But things are changing here, look around; it sends a signal to the politicians, the government, that people are not happy with what’s happening. I’m a part of this community now, and this is not the America I immigrated to. It’s bad for me personally, for my own kids, for people in general.”
–Jose Lalas, a former Corona Norco Unified School District trustee, who immigrated from the Phillipines
“Scientific research is the crown jewel of America. And we’re losing it.”
–Dave Kraus of Huntington Beach
“He knows that his policies are deeply unpopular. They are unpopular with Democrats. They are unpopular with Independents. They are unpopular with Republican leaders.”
–State Sen. Sasha Renee Perez, (D-Alhambra)
“We may not see it right away, but eventually the people’s voices will be heard.”
–Louis Mestaz of Long Beach
“We’re fighting for our rights, for our democracy … to get to make our own choices.”
–Aiden Castellanos, age 10, attending a rally in Corona with his mother, Mary
“I’ve been fighting for our rights ever since Donald Trump got elected again. As a young person, I know that I am the future, so this is something I have to do.”
–San Bernardino High School student Andy Fuentes, age 14, who organized the San Bernardino protest
Staff writers Madeline Armstrong, Sydney Barragan, Mona Darwish, Jason Henry, Christina Merino, Sierra van der Brug, Allyson Vergara, Beau Yarbrough and freelancer Jarret Liotta contributed to this report.
Thousands unite at ‘No Kings’ protests across Southern California
Originally Published: October 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM PDT