Vallejo and Benicia take to streets for nationwide protests of Trump Administration

VALLEJO— Hundreds of protesters marched through downtown Vallejo on Saturday as part of a coordinated nationwide day of protest dubbed “No Kings Day.” 

The mass protests against President Donald Trump’s policies were called “in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies,” according to an event flyer. 

The No Kings Day contrasted with Saturday's parade in Washington, D.C. commemorating  the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and held on Trump’s 79th birthday. Millions of people were estimated to have marched in more than 2,000 locations across the country.

In Vallejo, organizers estimated there were roughly 700 participants. 

The protest began at around 10 a.m., when six speakers addressed the crowd under the Flaming Lotus Girls stainless steel sculpture on 555 Georgia St.

Speakers included Will McGarvey from the Solano Pride Center, Benicia Mayor Steve Young, Solano Serenity Center director Jeriann Guzman, community advocate Roxana Damas, Allyssa Victory of the ACLU and retired minister Pastor Paul Theiss.

“Dissent is patriotic, protest is our right,” Victory said.

The coalition then marched through downtown, passing by the waterfront, in front of City Hall, the farmers market, Planned Parenthood and back to the dendritic sculpture before disbanding at around noon. The protest then picked back up in Benicia at 1 p.m.

The protest was non-violent and uneventful in terms of clashes with police or citizens. Music, chants and tambourines resonated through the streets as people deambulated through downtown.

Many U.S. flags were seen and resident’s artistic capabilities were displayed through a large array of political signs, banners and couture. “Reclaim the flag, we are the real patriots,” Young said. “Complacency is no longer an option.”.

“I’m glad to see this many people in Vallejo,” Young said in an interview. “When people see a million people in the streets, that speaks a lot. I think that makes the administration look pretty weak and I think they are afraid of what's happening, so it's time to not back down and keep the pressure on.” 

Young called for a democratic project 2029, which would codify abortion rights, same sex marriage, universal healthcare, make college affordable and tax the rich.

Among the speakers and protesters, top political concerns were with Trump’s infringement on civil rights and due process, the mass deportation of immigrants and the gutting of social safety nets.

McGarvey started the protest answering why the movement is called No Kings, explaining that this nation was founded to escape a monarchy but that Trump “is acting like a tyrannical king.”

“No one can divide us!” he said. “We believe MAGA is trying to divide us through fear.”

Guzman addressed her speech to the Latino community: “you deserve respect,” and to the immigrant children “we love you, you don’t deserve this.”