Millions of people are expected to join a second “No Kings” event planned this weekend across the country.
Organizers expect rallies on Saturday to surpass the 5 million demonstrators who turned out across the country for June’s “No Kings” day, NBC News reports.
In the Bay Area, local organizations also plan to participate in rallies and marches against President Donald Trump’s administration and policies. There are more than 60 events scheduled across the Bay Area, from Napa to Santa Cruz. The demonstration in downtown San Francisco is expected to be one of the largest in the area.
The demonstrations are happening against the backdrop of a nation in conflict. Congress is at a standstill amid a government shutdown. Trump ordered National Guard deployments to California, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., against the wishes of local elected officials. Immigration agents are aggressively carrying out arrests in cities across the country, and videos showing clashes, sometimes violent, with residents and protesters have followed.
Some Republicans have blasted the No Kings demonstrations, describing them as hate rallies fueled by Democrats.
Organizers of the San Francisco event told NBC Bay Area they are planning for Saturday’s event to be peaceful and to draw in huge crowds.
Adam Sheehan with Indivisible SF explained, “No Kings is a peaceful national day of action, mass-mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration, which they have doubled down on since our first No Kings rally back in June.”
Indivisible SF is organizing the San Francisco event alongside National Nurses United.
San Francisco Police said the department is fully staffing the weekend in the city for activities, including the rally on Saturday.
“We will have a full complement of officers, both on foot and in vehicles, to address any issues that might arise from that. We are very accustomed to dealing with First Amendment activities and facilitating that,” said Officer Robert Rueca with the San Francisco Police.
Officials encourage people to use public transit if possible when planning a visit to the city.
Preparations are already underway for the San Francisco event.
On Thursday evening in San Francisco, Carolyn Anderson organized a protest-sign-making workshop for those planning to attend rallies on Saturday. Anderson, a graphic designer by trade, offered advice to rally-goers on how to deliver the maximum impact with their signs.
“We need more people to believe that what they have to say en masse, as a group, as a collective, as a community, can make a difference in the world,” Anderson said.
Anderson and other participants said their concerns about the Trump administration were amplified this week when President Trump suggested he’d like to send federal troops to San Francisco.
“It’s disturbing, and I think the only way to react is to make our voices heard in a loving, peaceful, and joyful way,” Anderson said.
Natasha Korecki with NBC News contributed to this report.
Below is a breakdown of several “No Kings” demonstrations scheduled in the Bay Area. There is more information and other local rallies on nokings.org.
San Francisco ‘No Kings’ protests
“No Kings” march and rally organized by Indivisible SF, 50501 SF and other community leaders starting in Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park at 1:30 p.m. The march begins at 2 p.m., continuing on to Market St. to Civic Center Plaza where there will be a rally at 3:30 p.m.
Demonstrations in Ocean Beach will start earlier, including a human banner at 11 a.m. and gathering in Sunset Dunes at 12 p.m.
Palo Alto ‘No Kings’ parade
Indivisible and It’s Blue Turn will host at “No Kings” parade will starting at 11:30, gathering at both sides of Embarcadero and El Camino near Town and Country. The parade will continue to Rinconada Park for a Democracy Fair.
‘No Kings’ protest in San Jose
50501 San Jose is partnering with Indivisible San Jose to protest the Trump administration. The rally will start at 12 noon and will be held at St. James Park, 180 N. First Street.
8-mile sidewalk rally on El Camino Real
A “No Kings” protest is scheduled to target 16 high visibility intersections along the 8-mile route on El Camino Real starting at 12 p.m.
Organizers will move to Gateway Plaza at Castro and El Camino from 2 p.m. onward, supplying information on the upcoming election.
‘No Kings’ march in Oakland
A “No Kings” march is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and will start at Wilma Chan Park, 810 Jackson Street. Demonstrators will march to Lake Merritt Amphitheater, where there will be community performances and local vendors.
‘No Kings’ march in Santa Rosa
Indivisible Sonoma County will host two “No Kings” marches to Doyle Park. The earlier one will begin at Santa Rosa Junior College at 9 a.m. and the second march will begin at Juilliard Park at 10 a.m. Marchers will converge at Doyle Park for a community event at 11 a.m.