PHOTOS: Thousands rally in San Diego for nationwide ‘No Kings' protest
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Thousands of demonstrators gathered in downtown San Diego on Saturday for the 'No Kings' protest, a nationwide day of action opposing President Donald Trump's policies and his planned military parade in Washington, D.C.
The San Diego rally featured two major gatherings: one at Civic Center Plaza and another at Waterfront Park. Both events commenced at 10 a.m. and converged at Waterfront Park, where participants engaged in speeches, chants and peaceful demonstrations. Several other protests are also expected to take place across the county throughout the day.
Planned protests revives question: When was the last time America had a king?
The 'No Kings' movement, organized by several grassroots groups, aims to challenge what organizers perceive as authoritarian tendencies in the Trump administration. This includes aggressive immigration enforcement, the militarization of Los Angeles, and federal job cuts from recent executive orders.
In San Diego, the protests were partly fueled by recent ICE raids at two South Park restaurants, which led to confrontations between federal agents and local residents. Flash bangs were even detonated in the middle of the day during the encounter. Participants of Saturday's downtown protest voiced concerns over such immigration policies.
What is the difference between democracy and authoritarian rule?
Despite the large turnout, the demonstrations have remained peaceful as of current. Law enforcement agencies, including officers from the San Diego Police Department, maintained a visible presence to ensure public safety and order.
Similar protests were spotted throughout the county on Saturday, with demonstrators taking to the streets in Chula Vista, Del Mar and Carlsbad, among other places.
The 'No Kings' protests are part of a broader national movement, with similar events taking place in over 1,500 cities across the United States. The demonstrations reflect widespread public concern over the direction of the nation's leadership, specifically behaviors that critics feel mirror those of authoritarian leaders.
On the contrary, President Trump and his supporters have dismissed these criticisms, arguing that he is simply fighting a corrupt establishment and using the tools available to him as an elected leader. They claim the accusations are politically motivated and meant to distract from policy issues. In response to a reporter at the White House, the President himself recently stated, 'I don't feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.'
Meanwhile, more than 6,000 troops are poised to march near the National Mall to honor the Army's 250th anniversary on Saturday, which happens to be President Trump's 79th birthday — not so ironic timing for the nationwide 'No Kings' protests.
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