SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Protesters attend the 'No Kings' rally in San Diego, California on Saturday, June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump's military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday, a 'No Kings' movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country. In San Diego County, California the police estimate that over 20,000 people marched in protest of Trump. (Photo by Carlos A. Moreno/Anadolu via Getty Images)
San Diego, California – An estimated 60,000 people filled the streets of downtown San Diego on Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” Day protests, a coordinated effort aimed at opposing former President Donald Trump’s policies and what organizers described as a growing threat of authoritarianism.
The scale of the San Diego demonstrations—anchored by two major rallies at Civic Center Plaza and Waterfront Park—matched the moment’s urgency, as thousands of residents gathered in a show of civic resistance that was striking both in its size and its peaceful execution.
“We organized this because San Diegans from all walks of life are so concerned about the cruelty and the corruption and the authoritarianism of the Trump regime,” said Wendy Gelernter of Take Action SD, one of the main organizing groups. “We want to preserve our democracy, and we want to preserve our rights.”
The march coincided with a military parade in Washington, D.C., a symbolic backdrop that many protesters saw as antithetical to the democratic values they were rallying to protect. From signs defending immigrant rights to chants about civil liberties and justice, the day’s energy was focused not just on opposition, but on reasserting a vision of inclusive, accountable government.
For participants like Spring Valley resident Karina Avila, the protest was both personal and political. “I’m here for my family who can’t speak up. I’m here for myself,” she said. “I want to make a difference, and I do believe things like this do.”
For others, the event marked a first. Army veteran Raymond Rubi and his wife, Kathia Cortez, said they had never joined a protest before Saturday. Rubi said the policies of the Trump era made him question the value of his service. “As somebody who has served, I feel like the current things that the government stands for are not correct,” he said. “We’re for the people, not for the government.”
Despite its magnitude—one of the largest demonstrations in recent San Diego history—the protest remained calm throughout the day. The San Diego Police Department reported no arrests, injuries, or property damage. Volunteer marshals worked alongside police to guide crowds, de-escalate tensions, and manage rolling road closures as the march moved through the city.
SDPD Chief Scott Wahl credited coordination between organizers and officers. “It was encouraging to see so many people gather peacefully today,” he said.
San Diego was just one of more than 1,500 cities nationwide to participate in the No Kings demonstrations—a reminder that while the political moment remains volatile, many Americans are determined to respond with collective, peaceful resistance.
