Local voices: ‘No Kings’ protests spark across San Diego

Sarina Feng, Lily Bruch, Claire Zhou, and Shayna Dolin

October 24, 2025

Tess Wheatley (12) holds up her sign reading, “I didn’t grow up saying ‘liberty and justice for all’ every morning to expect anything less.” Her message resonated with not only the current political climate but also with her expectations and identity as a student.

Lily Bruch

“No Kings” protesters in San Diego and across America rallied in costumes and lifted hand-made signs against the Trump Administration’s immigration, healthcare and redistricting policies at nonviolent demonstrations, echoing a slogan borrowed from Thomas Paine’s 1776 American Revolution pamphlet: “Common Sense.” These protests took place on Oct. 18.

Local protesters flooded Downtown San Diego, lined Del Mar Heights Road and stood along Carmel Country Road in a couple of the over 2,700 nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations that day.

The school’s high school seniors Tess Wheatley (12), Lily Bruch (12) and San Dieguito Academy Sasha Kuhnert (12) march at the downtown “No Kings” protest. The protest was on Oct. 18, last Saturday. Photo courtesy of Polly Whatley.

Downtown San Diego

Over 50,000 people gather in downtown San Diego on Oct. 18 for the No Kings Protest. Among the sea of signs, flags and other symbols of resistance, protestors united to express their anger and demanded accountability and change from the government. Photo courtesy of Tess Wheatley (12).

Protestors march down to the Downtown San Diego Harbor. Many held signs, such as lyrics from Taylor Swift’s song, “Mean.” (Shayna Dolin)

Del Mar Highlands Town Center

Community members in front of Del Mar Highlands Town Center sporting yellow attire weave up and down the sidewalk on Del Mar Heights Road. Protesters held up American flags and signs with slogans such as “We the People” and “No Kings.” (Sarina Feng)

Protesters part of weekly Saturday rallies on Camino del Mar and 11th Street joined with the Carmel Valley movement to “have a bigger impact,” according to Del Mar protest organizers Deborah Lyons and Chisari.

‘No Kings’ protesters cheer in the direction of incoming traffic, waving flags and signs in the air. Passing cars responded with honking as a sign of support. (Sarina Feng)

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