San Diego 'No Kings' Demonstrations Largely Peaceful, Police Say

SAN DIEGO, CA — No arrests or property damage was reported after tens of thousands of San Diego County residents joined nationwide "No Kings" Day demonstrations against the policies of President Donald Trump, which coincided with a military parade in the nation's capital.

San Diego hosted two major rallies Saturday, which was dubbed No Kings Day. One kicked off at 10 a.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 1200 Third Ave., while the other took place at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway. The two groups merged in front of the county building at Waterfront Park, forming a crowd estimated as high as 60,000 people, but most demonstrators had left the downtown area by 1:30 p.m.

Officers remained on the scene to assist the public, according to the San Diego Police Department.
"It was encouraging to see so many people gather peacefully today," San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said. "We're grateful to everyone who helped make these events safe for our city."

Wahl added the department "also recognized the contributions of volunteer marshals, local nonprofit partners, and city agencies that supported the events."

A factor keeping demonstrators from dispersing was related to trolley stations and bus stops overrun with passengers, leading to additional traffic congestion for motorists and public transit, Officer Anthony Carrasco told City News Service.

Beyond the two large rallies and marches in Downtown San Diego, other events were held throughout the county, including in San Marcos and Carlsbad.

Saturday also marked Trump's 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The two events were celebrated during the "Grand Military Parade" in Washington, D.C., which featured more than 6,700 soldiers and dozens of armored vehicles parading through the city.

Opponents of the parade -- the nation's first since 1991's National Victory Celebration, which was timed to welcome returning veterans of the 100- day Persian Gulf War -- said it was a vanity project for a nascent dictator.

"This administration is sending National Guard troops and active duty military against American citizens protesting this administration's illegal and unconstitutional actions," said Richard Cannon, an organizer with 50501 Escondido. "This is exactly the type of tyrannical behavior that our founding fathers feared, one that many thought "could never happen in this country."

The group 50501 is a national organization that stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one movement.
Trump said Thursday that he wanted the parade to show people "How great our country is, very simple, and how strong our military is."

Organizers had encouraged protesters to carry signs and make their voices heard, but not to engage in violent confrontation with supporters of the president and law enforcement.

"A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action," a statement from No Kings organizers read. "We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values."

Trained peace keepers in yellow vests were scattered throughout the protests.

The D.C. military parade featured 28 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armored vehicles, four Paladin howitzers, towed artillery, and multiple infantry squad vehicles. Army officials estimated the cost to taxpayers at between $25 million and $45 million.

"For two and a half centuries the men and women of America's army have dominated our enemies and protected our freedom at home," Trump said previously. "This parade salutes our soldiers' remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit. You won't want to miss it. Thundering tanks and breathtaking flyovers will roar through our capital city."

Opponents disagreed.

"This is the kind of vanity parade we would expect to see in Russia or North Korea, not in a democracy," said Allison Gill, podcaster of the Mueller She Wrote podcast, who was scheduled to speak at the San Diego rallies.

— City News Service