Tens of thousands gathered in San Diego on Saturday for the ‘No Kings’ rally, a major protest event that brought together a diverse group of attendees united against President Donald Trump and his policies.
Amidst the crowd of passionate protesters were numerous public servants, including Casey Hickenbottom, Jeremy Ross, Mark Sauer, and Craig Rose.
Hickenbottom, serving as the musical director for activist radio station KNSJ 89.1, set the tone of the rally from a central location outside the County Administration Center.
Spinning tracks from iconic ’70s soul artists such as Marvin Gaye, Syl Johnson, and Curtis Mayfield, Hickenbottom created an atmosphere of solidarity and resistance.
Encinitas resident Ross took a more active role during the march, donning a bright orange safety vest and leading chants like “Whose streets? Our streets!” as demonstrators made their way through the packed streets of San Diego.
Despite being recognized for his humanitarian work, notably with refugees in Uganda, Ross emphasized his commitment to local activism, claiming he could not stay away from significant protests even with his global commitments.
Sauer and Rose, both former journalists at The San Diego Union-Tribune, played pivotal roles in organizing the event.
They coordinated a press conference that brought together local lawmakers, including Congress members Sara Jacobs and Juan Vargas, along with city council members and representatives from various organizations.
This press conference featured a steady stream of elected officials who succinctly answered the question: Why are they here?
Jacobs, referencing her international conflict resolution work, noted, “We know that public pressure actually does work.”
Emphasizing the importance of a broad-based pro-democracy movement, she highlighted how similar actions in other countries have successfully pushed back against authoritarianism.
Vargas took a more direct approach, declaring his alignment with the public by stating, “we know we don’t have a king — we have a criminal as a president.”
He termed Trump’s use of military forces in communities as a form of terror, asserting that soon, “we’re going to beat him in the streets.”
Assemblyman Chris Ward also addressed the crowd, focusing on his efforts to counteract Trump’s actions, asserting that Californian initiatives are a strong response against authoritarianism.
Councilman Raul Campillo brought a biblical reference into the discussion, stating that, according to the Gospel of Matthew, leaders should be serving the people rather than dominating them.
Echoing the sentiments of many in attendance, he criticized Trump’s moral standing and echoed the rally’s call for accountability.
Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera expressed his fury, describing how the diverse community he represents faced ongoing threats, and labeled Trump as weak, emphasizing the need to rid California of what he termed “fascists.”
Similarly, Councilman Henry Foster conveyed that the rally was about right versus wrong amidst a divided nation under the current presidency.
Concern for the community welfare was echoed by Brigette Browning, president of the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, who spoke about the significant contributions of marginalized workers.
Pointing out that many people are unseen yet play crucial roles in society, she urged attendees to support those performing essential but underappreciated jobs.
Norma Chavez-Peterson, Executive Director of the San Diego ACLU, recalled her organization’s long-standing commitment to protecting democracy and the importance of dissent in the face of military force against peaceful protests.
Veteran James L. Smith II of Black Deported Veterans of America highlighted the plight of veterans in the current political landscape, expressing concern over cuts affecting their livelihoods.
An advocate for military refugees, Shawn VanDiver, spoke vocally against Trump’s divisive tactics, urging veterans and residents alike to rise up, make their voices heard, and push back against an administration that he feels jeopardizes their rights.
Later in the day, entertainers and activists like Allison Gill, host of the ‘Mueller She Wrote’ podcast, took to the stage to further bolster the messages of activism and awareness.
She acknowledged that the park was situated on Kumeyaay Indian land, introducing fellow activist Bobby Wallace from the Barona Band of Mission Indians, who opened with a prayer before expressing his frustration over the current situation.
As the rally continued, the collective energy among the crowd signaled a strong commitment to the goals of the protest: to resist oppression, to stand for democracy, and to ensure that every voice matters in the fight for justice and equality.
The ‘No Kings’ rally became not only a platform for criticism against President Trump but also a celebration of community resilience and democratic values.
image source from：https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2025/06/14/were-going-to-beat-him-in-the-streets-how-electeds-lashed-trump-at-s-d-event/
