'No Kings' March In Laguna Beach Sees Lively Response From Community

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Hundreds of Laguna Beach residents took to the streets Saturday to peacefully protest President Donald Trump's policies during the "No Kings" rally.

The rally was one of several hundred planned across California as part of a nationwide movement to protest the Trump administration. The rallies — touted as a day of defiance against authoritarianism — drew thousands of protesters to cities around the Golden State.

The No Kings Day rallies coincided with President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C. The event, expected to cost taxpayers up to $45 million, marks two significant birthdays: Trump's 79th and the U.S. Army's 250th.

In Laguna Beach, hundreds of residents took to the street bearing bright signs reading phrases such as, "Resist Trump," "Make Orwell Fiction Again" and "Hands Off Our Democracy."

The rally remained peaceful, with residents crowding the walkways at Main Beach.

Laguna Beach resident Marshall Aren told Patch that in his 33 years of living in town, the "No Kings" rally was the largest he's seen by far.

"Even more gratifying was the overall sense of camaraderie, joy and laughter that permeated the atmosphere," Marshall said. "Granted, anyone who has ever attended a Main Beach rally knows that energy is pretty much always there, but this was really something special."

"Maybe it has to do with the darkness that has driven so many of us to the streets, the sense of communal release — whatever it was, there were funny costumes, a showcase of Laguna Beach creativity and humor displayed on the signs, and a whole lot of laughter and joy."