‘No Kings’ updates: Protests express frustration, fear. ‘Huge fight ahead of us’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sacramento march joined nationwide ‘No Kings’ protests opposing Trump policies
- Rep. Doris Matsui urged leadership that defends healthcare, immigrants, democracy
- About 2,000 protesters marched from Sutter’s Fort to Capitol, joined regional rallies
“No Kings” protests are on their way across the nation and here today against President Donald Trump. Here are reports from the Sacramento region. We will update throughout the day.
Why protests are happening
Saturday’s events, which are part of a day of national, coordinated action, follow protests June 14. That day, more than 5 million people across the country participated, including approximately 5,000 people at the California state Capitol. That event was held the same day as a Washington, D.C. military parade that celebrated the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s birthday.
Today’s protests coincides with a 250th anniversary celebration held at Camp Pendleton in Southern California for the U.S. Marine Corps.
The protests also take place amid a federal government shutdown and what organizers call overreach by the White House. Organizers say they are protesting authoritarian acts, including the targeting of immigrants for deportation, the deployment of the National Guard in U.S. cities and attacks on various protections.
Protests across the county
The protests in the Sacramento area comprised just a small fraction of “No Kings” events scheduled around the country.
In Boston, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) spoke at a rally on the Boston Common, according to NBC News. “When we don’t bow down to kings or bullies, they start to lose their power,” Warren told the crowd. “So now is the time for us to say it clearly, do we bow down to Kings? Do we bow down to bullies? Do we bow down to Donald Trump? No, the American people do not bow down.”
In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke to thousands of people during a “No Kings” rally at Grant Park. The city has had U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE officers making arrests. The president has also recently sent American troops to the city.
“Donald Trump is using ICE as his private, militarized occupying force,” Johnson said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “But we are saying emphatically clear: we do not want troops in our city.”
In New York City, police estimated more than 20,000 people at Times Square for “No Kings,” the BBC noted. There were also other protests planned around the boroughs. ““I care a lot about New York City,” freelance writer and editor Beth Zasloff told the outlet. “It gives me hope to be out here with many, many other people.”
Capitol rally attendees weigh in
In Sacramento, people initially gathered Saturday morning at Sutter’s Fort and then marched to the west steps of the state Capitol.
Shawn Brower and Daniel Belshe, both dressed up in an inflatable hippo and dinosaur costume, have been together for 12 years, married for one. As a gay couple, the two are worried they’ll lose their rights as a married couple.
“I feel like we’re under constant attack,” Brower said. “We’ve been battling for our rights. I’m 56 years old, and it feels like it’s never ending.
Trump’s policy has also affected the two’s professional lives. Brower, who works in importing said having to manage tariffs has made his sourcing in his job “a nightmare.” For Belshe, the Trump administration’s rollback on public lands and property has caused significant conflict environmentalism job.
“We have a huge fight ahead of us in the next three years,” Belshe said.
Sacramento residents Jeff and Holly Laird and Jeff Laird’s mom Laura Kirn of Mariposa brought Kieran Laird, 1, with them because they wanted all three generations to resist the administration.
“I think it’s important to be here to find community in these times because it feels really bleak most days,” Holly Laird said. “But to find other people who feel the same way is important, even though it feels a lot of times like we’re losing the battle for democracy.”
Matsui: ‘Lift people up’
Rep Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, was among the people to speak at the state Capitol once protesters arrived.
Matsui said the Trump administration is trying to “dismantle our democracy” by shutting down the federal government, “taking health care away,” and increasing ICE actions. She added that the protest is a demonstration that Sacramento will not cower in fear.
“Here in Sacramento, we believe leadership means compassion, not chaos.” Matsui said. “It means fighting to protect your healthcare… get in there to defend your right to lift people up, not tear them down.”
Other speakers at the Capitol grounds on Saturday included: Sal Nicolazzo, an assistant professor of English at University of California, Davis; California State Assemblywoman Maggy Krell, D-Sacramento; and Flojaune Cofer, who lost a close race to Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty last year.
“What I think about are the many instances where our foremothers and forefathers have been up against regimes that have been harsh and cruel and have attempted to take away our rights,” Cofer said. “And they didn’t give up and neither will we.”
Protest near the Galleria Mall in Roseville
Thousands of people gathered for the “No Kings” protest near the Galleria Mall in Roseville on Saturday morning. Scott Taggart, a citizen volunteer for the protest who is handling safety, said 3,000 protesters had gathered.
Protesters lined the sides of the road. Cars streamed past on both sides, honking and waving in solidarity. Flags rippled as people held up signs that were some defiant, some playful, with messages from “Don’t piss off old people” to “ICE: Ignoring Constitutional Equality.”
The crowd’s energy was loud but hopeful, with different issues helping motivate protesters.
“I have (undocumented) friends who unfortunately didn’t get to be here by the right means, but they’ve lived their entire lives here,” said Malo Ealom, 26. “All they know is America. They eat, breathe, sweat, dream America, and yet they have to hide in their houses. They don’t feel safe going anywhere.”
Sue Bassett, 82 of Citrus Heights, said her nephew had been laid off from the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. due to Trump’s budget cuts.
“He has lots of seniority, so he could have retired,” Bassett said of her nephew. “But his boss, when he asked him when he got the letter — the one that said, ‘Do you want to take early retirement?’ — his boss said, ‘Don’t do anything. Just sit still.’ So it’s been another year for him, but he’s now officially furloughed.”
Rally at Sutter’s Fort
Earlier Saturday, about 300 Sacramento residents rallied at Sutter’s Fort. Sylvia Grovaz, who traveled to Sacramento from Napa, said she’s protesting in solidarity of her parents, who are Mexican immigrants.
She said that even though she and her parents are U.S. citizens, the increased ICE actions have made them wary of being seized.
“My parents, they carry their passports everywhere with them because they’re scared. They’re scared they’re going to be stopped,” Grovaz said. “Now, because you’re brown, doesn’t matter if you’re a citizen or not… I can be targeted just because of the color of my skin, what I’m wearing, or if I’m talking in Spanish in public.”
Protesters gathered at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park and marched to the west steps of the Capitol.
Among the marchers was Elk Grove resident Tanya Allen, 35, who wore a hippo costume. Allen was asked as they were at 15th and L streets, across from the Capitol grounds, why they were wearing a hippo costume.
“I think it’s to show that we are not violent people,” Allen said. “We are Americans who believe in our constitutional rights and our freedoms.”
The marchers headed to the Capitol, joining the 2,000 protesters there carrying American flags and anti-Trump signs.
Where protests are happening
The protest in Sacramento is one of several scheduled around the region today, with protests in Roseville, Folsom and Elk Grove, as well as among many other local cities or communities.
This story was originally published October 18, 2025 at 10:41 AM.
