Tens of thousands of protesters in San Diego County joined others in cities across the United States Saturday for "No Kings" protests and marches against what they called the autocratic immigration policies of President Donald Trump.
The largest rally and march took place in downtown San Diego at Waterfront Park next to the County Administration Center. It was one of more than 20 protests held across the county.
"Today's march concluded safely. No arrests were made, no crimes were reported, and all downtown road closures have been lifted," the San Diego Police Departmen said in a statement posted shortly after noon Saturday on social media. "Thank you to our community for helping make today a safe and successful event."
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Thousands of people march down Harbor Drive at the downtown San Diego No Kings Day protest on March 28, 2026.
Michael Taylor for KPBS
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Tiffany Matthews, left, and Sierra Pierre, right, shout and wave their signs and flags in front of the San Diego County Administration Building during the No Kings protest in downtown San Diego on March 28, 2026.
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Natasha Savoie, a tourist from Canada, waits to board her Norweigan Cruise Lines ship as people march past during the No Kings protest in downtown San Diego on March 28, 2026.
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Joseph Núñez holds a sign while speaking to his husband (David Jones, not pictured) while protestors march at the No Kings rally in downtown San Diego on March 28, 2026
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Tribal leaders and protest organizers lead marchers down Pacific Street during the No Kings protest in downtown San Diego on March 28, 2026.
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Protestors march down Harbor Drive past tall ships docked at the Embarcadero during the No Kings protest in downtown San Diego on March 28, 2026.
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Protesters gather with their signs in front of the San Diego County Administration building in downtown ahead of the No Kings rally on March 28, 2026.
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Protesters at the downtown San Diego No Kings rally listen to speakers before the march begins on March 28, 2026.
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Various activist and community groups set up tables and booths at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego during No Kings protests on March 28, 2026.
Downtown road closures were lifted by early afternoon.
"San Diego residents are mobilizing over concerns about immigration enforcement, cuts to social programs and the administration's use of executive authority," organizers said in a news release before the protests. "They point to increased (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) ICE arrests, cuts and reductions to healthcare, Medicaid and school nutrition programs and the treatment of detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention Center as issues affecting local San Diego families."
Speakers at the Waterfront Park rally included San Diego County Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Paloma Aguirre, Pastor Manuel Retamoza of The Border Church and Lorena Gonzalez, the California Federation of Labor Unions president.
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Sandra Benkhe, 84, of San Diego raises a pro-democracy sign at the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and University Avenue in La Mesa, California ahead of a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
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Demonstrators gather at the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and University Avenue in La Mesa, California ahead of a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
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Demonstrators gather at the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and University Avenue in La Mesa, California ahead of a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
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Demonstrators gather along La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa, California during a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
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Demonstrators walk along La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa, California during a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
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Demonstrators gather at the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and University Avenue in La Mesa, California during a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
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Demonstrators wave at a passing helicopter from the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and University Avenue in La Mesa, California during a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
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Artist Gloria Cassady holds a photocopy of a painting she made during the first Trump administration at the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and University Avenue in La Mesa, California during a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
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A demonstrator waves a sign condemning President Donald Trump at passing cars along University Avenue in La Mesa, California for a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
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Demonstrators gather at the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and University Avenue in La Mesa, California for a nationwide day of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown, military strikes in Iran and other policies on March 28, 2026.
The events held across San Diego County also included demonstrations in Ocean Beach, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Mira Mesa, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Fallbrook, Rancho Bernardo, Ramona, La Mesa, El Cajon, Chula Vista, Otay Mesa and Borrego Springs.
The organizers called for the impeachment and removal of Trump and the abolition of ICE. The No Kings National Day of Nonviolent Action saw more than 3,000 communities nationwide hold simultaneous demonstrations.
The rallies were supported locally by more than 30 organizations.
