Tens of thousands of San Diegans took to the streets on Saturday for the third wave of “No Kings” demonstrations, part of a coordinated global movement protesting the administration of President Donald Trump. Rallies took place from Oceanside to Otay Mesa, with participants voicing opposition to an escalating war with Iran, ongoing economic instability, and what they see as a threat to democratic institutions.
The protests unfolded against a backdrop of significant national turmoil, including a partial federal government shutdown and a volatile stock market that has heightened economic anxieties for many families. The “No Kings” movement, which began in June 2025, frames itself as a peaceful, grassroots response to a wide range of issues, including aggressive immigration enforcement, threats to voting rights, and the rising cost of living.
The main rally in San Diego began at 10 a.m. at Waterfront Park, where police estimated a crowd of roughly 40,000 people gathered. The diverse crowd heard from speakers including elected officials, union leaders, and podcaster Allison Gill. The event was one of more than 3,200 planned nationwide, with solidarity demonstrations held in countries such as Italy, Germany, and France.
Community concerns echo from Carlsbad to Chula Vista
In North County, hundreds marched along Marron Road in Carlsbad, carrying signs and chanting. Patti Slack, the membership chair of the Democratic Club of Carlsbad and Oceanside, said the feeling of compounding crises motivated people to act. "Every day’s a new horror show," she said. "More problems have developed since the last No Kings. Things aren’t settling down, they’re ramping up."
I hope this encourages you to become involved in your local politics and get engaged, because it won’t change if we don’t express it and make it felt that there needs to be a change.
Oceanside residents Fran and Bud Tovar, 78 and 80, said they felt compelled to join the protest, believing that silence in the current political climate is not an option. "We have to speak up. We have to stand up. We have to fight for our democracy,” said Fran, who has been protesting since the 1960s. Bud, a Vietnam veteran, added, "I didn’t go to Vietnam to put up with his nonsense."
The protests also drew younger participants. Ava Nassar, a 13-year-old from Carlsbad, attended the demonstration with her classmates as part of a school assignment on the First Amendment. She said a sense of personal responsibility also drove her to participate, citing family in southern Lebanon who were recently displaced by Israeli missile strikes. She said it is important for her generation to stay informed, know right from wrong, and "not just be a follower. standing for what you believe in."
A growing movement of engagement
Further south in Chula Vista, protesters gathered on a sidewalk outside a Red Lobster on H Street. Organizer Janine Manchel, while handing out whistles, noted a marked increase in public engagement compared to earlier protests. What once felt like apathy has turned into a movement that is "out of control," she said, adding that "increasingly, everyone’s engaging."
Among them was Wendy Palma, a 70-year-old who said she had not been politically active since volunteering for George McGovern’s presidential campaign in the 1970s. She said she was protesting "this regime taking our democracy away." Nitza Navarro, a Chula Vista resident and San Diego State University student, said she was there to stand up for immigrants like her parents. "It’s about what’s right and standing up and having a voice," she said.
The widespread sentiment reflects a growing discontent with the status quo, where national issues are felt at a deeply personal level. The economic pressures are particularly acute for young people. In a parallel story, a recent Calgary youth hiring fair saw massive turnouts amidst an increasingly competitive job market, highlighting the economic anxieties that are resonating with protesters and the public alike.
War, corruption, and the cost of living
At the downtown rally, many protest signs focused on the war with Iran and the ongoing scrutiny of the Epstein files, with some suggesting the former was a distraction from the latter. Near the main stage, the San Diego chapter of CODEPINK, a feminist anti-war organization, created a display of bloodied white bundles to represent children killed in foreign conflicts supported by the U.S.
Aimee Werth of CODEPINK said the display symbolized casualties in both Gaza and Iran. "We’re against our tax dollars being laundered to fund the military-industrial complex," she said. "We think our tax dollars need to stay here and we should not, obviously, be killing children in other countries."
Speakers directly addressed the connection between foreign policy and domestic struggles. County Board of Supervisors Chair Terra Lawson-Remer told the crowd, "Here in San Diego County … we are not going to stand silently by while kids and families can’t put food on the table because we’re fighting wars in Iran that are driving up oil prices and making it impossible for people to make ends meet." The focus on local impact comes as city leaders also grapple with divisive topics, including the San Diego City Council’s recent adoption of a controversial antisemitism definition.
Alondra Alvarez, a community educator with Universidad Popular, which works with families affected by immigration enforcement, warned the crowd about the "militarization that is brewing in our streets." Organizers have announced that another round of demonstrations is already being planned for May.
