Monterey, Salinas hold their own ‘No Kings’

Thousands of protesters in Monterey and Salinas joined in peaceful demonstrations as part of “No Kings Day” of peaceful protest Saturday.

The protests were part of more than 2,500 other events across the country “in response to President Trump’s continued authoritarian power grabs,” stated a press release by No Kings, a coalition of over 200 organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, Sierra Club, Veterans for Peace and Human Rights Campaign.

With 300 events planned in California alone, other local No Kings events were held in Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Aromas, San Juan Bautista, Hollister and Watsonville.

Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Show Caption1 of 10Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Expand

In Salinas, many of the more than 500 people who packed two city blocks along South Main Street and Blanco Road, expressed disapproval of President Trump’s immigration policies.

“America has always been a nation of immigrants,” said Louis Montano, a Vietnam veteran who graduated from Salinas’ Palma High School in 1965.

For Montano, protesting the current administration was part of “an obligation to protect the Constitution of the United States of America…this is about our future.”

Antonio Perez, who served in the military from 2016 to 2021, expressing his disapproval of the president was an act of solidarity with his friends and family members who cannot protest in fear of immigration enforcement.

“I’m speaking up for the people that can’t. They’re scared of ICE. They’re scared of the administration,” said Perez.

Others, like Maggie Power, a former journalist from Canada who currently teaches at El Puente High School, expressed fear that Donald Trump’s presidency is a sign of an increasingly authoritarian government.

“I’m very concerned that America is turning into a fascist state,” Power said.

Saturday’s protest was the second “No Kings Day” following June 14 which drew over 5 million people across the nation to the streets.