By Vivienne Aguilar and Brianna Vaccari

Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

Thousands of people hit the streets in Merced and Modesto on Saturday to take part in the second national “No Kings” protest this year against President Donald Trump.

While the national No Kings protest intended to stand against Trump, Valley protesters used the rallies as an opportunity to speak up for causes they care about, including California’s special election on Prop 50, Palestine, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, disability rights, defending public media and freedom of speech.

In Merced, over 1,000 residents holding signs, waving various flags and wearing costumes lined at least three blocks along M Street near Courthouse Park starting at 9:30 a.m., cheering as passing cars honked. 

Later in the day, Modesto protesters arrived at noon to Standiford Park, many with homemade signs and props, in colorful inflatables and blasting music. More than 1,000 people came out to listen to speakers at the park and then march to the corner of McHenry and Briggsmore avenues.

In Newman, Rachel Healy Bell stood alone at the corner of Kern and Highway 33 to kick off the town’s second No Kings protest. It didn’t stay that way for long.

“I started out alone again but people saw me and stopped to join me. It was so encouraging,” Healy Bell said. “Most of them were not aware of the online stuff. They just saw me and felt it was the right thing to do.”

Healy Bell had posted about the rally on local Facebook pages, where she was met with a steady stream of online vitriol. But in person, she said, the response was overwhelmingly positive. About 10 people ultimately joined the Newman rally, holding signs and waving to passing cars.

“We had a couple people obviously not happy,” she said, “but overwhelmingly passersby were encouraging.”

Healy Bell said she wanted to show others in her community that they’re not alone. “Online it feels like our whole town is red and agrees with all the things going on in the country. In person is much different. There are those of us that disagree and are willing to stand up and speak out.”

Many protestors carried American flags, a direct rebuke of the narrative from national Republican leaders, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) who called No Kings a “hate America rally” last week. Droves of north San Joaquin Valley protesters turned out for a similar protest in June. 

Protests Saturday remained peaceful and didn’t draw counterprotestors or heavy police enforcement. Modesto Police warned they would enforce the department’s controversial anti-mask ordinance before the event, but no arrests were reported. 

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Officers patrolled the Modesto rally to hand out pamphlets on the city’s municipal codes for public demonstrations. The team of officers on bicycles remained at the park as the protest moved towards McHenry Ave and told the Modesto Focus none of them had issued any citations to protestors.

Police did not respond to the Merced protest, which was located about a block away from Merced Police Department. 

Merced protests

Merced’s protest was organized by Indivisible Merced, the local group with ties to the national Indivisible movement that sprouted as a direct response to Trump’s election. Merced organizers wore neon yellow vests, brought extra signs and provided hot dogs and snacks for those who showed up. Fliers with protest guidelines and protester rights were taped to street lights in the area. 

Heike Hambley served as a spokesperson for the Merced Indivisible group. She moved to Merced around 40 years ago from Germany, where she taught history. 

“I know how it looked like in 1933,” she said, “and I see the signs.”

The protest was a way for Merced residents to voice their opinion and find hope, Hambley said. Using Portland as a role model, the group encouraged protestors to enjoy themselves. 

Musicians created a festive atmosphere by playing snare drums and quads, the cow bell, bag pipes, guitar and ukulele. Other protesters heaved large speakers playing protest anthems. Bubbles floated through the park.

“The reason being is that nobody can look at us – as we’re having fun and bringing our dogs and kids along –that we could be a potential hazard or danger, so that you need to send the National Guard,” Hambley said. “What country sends their own military against their own citizens? It’s hard to think of. This is why we’re here.”

Merced resident Santiago Rodriguez agreed: “Honestly, it’s poppin’,” he said. “The vibes are immaculate.”

For him, the protest was a way to fight for the rights of the younger generation.

“Our rights are being violated. This is not for me. This is for the immigrants being detained. This is for the citizens of Gaza. This is also for the Jewish people getting hate,” Rodriguez said. “This is for the future generation. Let’s make the change and a positive impact.”

A handful of Merced protestors wore inflatable costumes, inspired, in part, by the Portland ICE protestors who gained national attention. Gracing the Merced protest was a dinosaur, unicorn, octopus, and more.

Laura Weil sported an inflatable chicken costume and said she doesn’t support “tacos,” an acronym meaning Trump Always Chickens Out.

“I absolutely do not agree with what this administration is doing to our country,” she said. “It’s good to see that Merced’s got some support because I think we’ve got a lot of red in town. It’s good to see some blue out.”

Modesto protest

Indivisible Stanislaus organized Modesto’s event, bringing together speakers from local unions and activism organizations. Congressional candidates also showed up, including Michael Masuda, a candidate running for Tom McClintock’s seat in California’s 5th congressional district, and a candidate for state senate district 4, Jared Brandon. 

Speakers covered topics such as worker solidarity, indigenous rights, health care access, and encouraged their neighbors to find local causes to get involved with. 

Kira Straub, 19, from Modesto, expressed her frustration about her congressman, McClintock, and was excited to hear more about Masuda’s politics in the next election cycle. 

“McClintock’s been my congressman since as long as I can remember, and as soon as I started understanding what politics were and who he was, he’s always kind of angered me with his choices,” she said. 

Two years ago, she began calling and emailing his office to learn more about his stance on Palestine, but became increasingly discouraged by the lack of response.

Straub works with children and said they, along with the possibility of redistricting in her area, give her hope for the future.

Prop 50 was top of mind for many protestors and organizers.

“Hope isn’t fragile. It’s forged in struggle, and I am here for the long haul. I don’t know about the rest of you all. One of the ways we’re gonna fight back is by voting yes on Prop 50, right?” Astrid Zuniga, president of United Domestic Workers, asked the crowd.

The Stanislaus-Modesto NAACP chapter passed out informational cards and signage in support of the proposition.

As the march took off down Tokay Avenue into the neighborhoods surrounding the park, several Modestans joined the crowd. Some watched from their front yards and joined in on the chants.

Brenda Valenzuela, an 18-year-old aspiring nursing student at Modesto Junior College, became emotional at the sight of her community walking down her street. She wasn’t aware of the protest, but found an old poster-sized birthday card and wrote her own message on the back in solidarity with the No Kings sentiments.

“I love to see people coming together and, in my opinion, standing for what is right. In this country, we have not had kings in over 200 years. So I think we should keep it that way,” she said.

Editor Sabra Stafford contributed to this article.