Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated throughout the day.
About 60,000 people took to the streets of downtown San Diego on Saturday for what organizers are calling "No Kings" Day, a nationwide protest of President Donald Trump's policies coinciding with a military parade in the nation's capital.
Two major rallies for No Kings Day kicked off around 10:15 a.m. in downtown, one at Civic Center Plaza, the other at Waterfront Park. Thousands of people began marching south on Harbor Drive from the County Administration building. In total, there are 11 rallies planned throughout the county.
The two rallies drew more than 60,000 participants, San Diego Police estimates.
"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, an organizer with Take Action SD. "We want to preserve our democracy, and we want to preserve our rights. We want to stop having people kidnapped off the streets. We want to stop having parents torn away from their children, and we want to have rights for everybody in the country. That's why thousands and thousands of people are here today."
Spring Valley resident Karina Avila was at Waterfront Park with friends. They came to the protest to make their voices heard, she said.
"I think speaking up does make a difference. You know, some people don't believe it, but I do," Avila said. "I'm here for my family who can't speak up. I'm here for myself. I want to make a difference, and I do believe things like this do."
For husband and wife Raymond Rubi and Kathia Cortez, Saturday's No Kings Day march was the first protest they've been to. Rubi is an army veteran. He said the Trump administration makes him feel like his service was wasted.
"As somebody who has served, I feel like the current standards, the current things that the government stands for is not correct," Rubi said. "I feel like a lot of us, people who served with me, feel like our time in service was wasted, and we're just trying to show to everybody else we're — for the people, not for the government."
Metropolitan Transit (MTS) Trolley lines were experiencing sporadic delays due to heavy ridership, according to MTS.
Organizers 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."
The march was peaceful, according to SDPD Lt. Travis Easter and there were no arrests. He said the department had "a lot of resources" available to assist, but did not provide specifics.
SDPD enforced rolling road closures as the march progressed, Easter said. All road closures have been lifted, according to SDPD.
Beyond the two large rallies and marches in Downtown San Diego, other events were planned throughout the county:
- Carlsbad, 10 a.m., Carlsbad Boulevard and Pine Avenue;
- Del Mar, 10 a.m., Intersection of Del Mar Heights and Carmel Country roads;
- Chula Vista, 10 a.m., Birch Road and Millenia Avenue;
- Escondido, 10 a.m., Grape Day Park, 321 N Broadway;
- El Cajon, 10 a.m., Magnolia Avenue and Fletcher Parkway;
- Mira Mesa, 11 a.m., 10782 Westview Parkway;
- Rancho Bernardo, 11 a.m., Bernardo Center Drive and Rancho Bernardo Road;
- A kid-friendly rally at 11:15 a.m. at Civita Park in San Diego, 7897 Altana Way;
- Ramona, 3:30 p.m., 1000 Main St.; and
- San Marcos, 4:15 p.m., corner of Grand and West San Marcos Boulevard.
Why are people protesting across the country?
Saturday marks Trump's 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. The two events are culminating in the "Grand Military Parade" in Washington, D.C., featuring 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 — say it is a vanity project of 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 military parade — which is subject to cancellation due to possible thunderstorms Saturday — will feature 28 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armored vehicles, four Paladin howitzers, towed artillery and multiple infantry squad vehicles. Army officials estimate the parade will cost taxpayers between $25 million and $45 million. Metal plates will be laid down on the street to prevent damage from the 68-ton machines, an army statement reads.
"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. "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."
"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 will speak at the San Diego rallies.
The timing of the parade seems auspicious, as the Trump administration has recently ramped up Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions throughout the country, but notably in San Diego and Los Angeles, leading to ongoing civil unrest.
"I am protesting because I am scared about what's happening in our country," said Michele Cyr, organizer of the Carlsbad protest. "It's not a democracy anymore when workers are afraid to go to work, have no job to go to anymore and our civil liberties are under attack."
