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Thousands of demonstrators gathered with signs, songs and sun hats Saturday afternoon in the Midpeninsula to protest President Donald Trump and his policies at the third nationwide “No Kings” rally in less than a year.
In Redwood City on March 28, protesters lined both sides of El Camino Real between Jackson Avenue and Broadway and beyond, hundreds more than the last “No Kings” protest in October.
JoAnn Loulan is an organizer with Indivisible Portola Valley, which helped put on the protest with Indivisible Mid-Peninsula. She said over 2,300 people attended Saturday’s demonstration, “definitely the biggest” one she’s been involved in. This reporter’s rough estimate put the crowd at 1,500 or less. Loulan attributed the robust turnout to all of the “dangerous things” the president has done since the October “No Kings” protest.
Protesters held signs that amounted to a list of grievances, including the Trump administration’s recent deployment of American troops to Iran, its failure to bring down prices, and the January killings of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
While No Kings protest organizers embrace a broadly nonpartisan platform of supporting American democracy and the U.S. Constitution, Loulan said she hoped people would see the importance of aligning with the Democratic Party.
“Nobody hates Democrats more than Democrats,” Loulan joked. “Democrats need to start owning that they are Democrats. We only have two parties in this country.”
Anna Mrsny, the organizer of Indivisible Mid-Peninsula, said that she’s noticed an enormous jump in civic engagement since the events in Minnesota. At her organization’s most recent meeting, around 170 people attended, which is a big leap from previous ones with about 90.
Most of the participation comes from “older people,” likely because “we all saw this” during the Vietnam War, she said, adding that she’d like to see more younger people mobilize.
Protesters wave to passing cars during a “No Kings” protest on El Camino Real in Redwood City on March 28, 2026. Photo by Seeger Gray. 
Protesters holding signs cross El Camino Real during a “No Kings” protest in Redwood City on March 28, 2026. Photo by Seeger Gray. 
A child waves an American flag from a car window in Redwood City on March 28, 2026. Photo by Seeger Gray.
Becky Suttmann was among a handful of protesters in Redwood City donning butterfly accessories and signs. She held up a sign that read: “The only orange monarch I want,” paired with a painting of monarch butterflies. She has been attending protests monthly — as a recent retiree, she said she has “more energy to do these.”
Pat Santangelo, 66, is a Redwood City resident with family in Minneapolis. She said her sister has been one of the “extraordinary citizens” helping to feed families who can’t leave their home for fear of getting picked up by ICE. Her sister, she said, was tear-gassed while visiting a memorial for Alex Pretti.
Mike Lampell, a 57-year-old Woodside resident, said came out to demonstrate even though he doesn’t think “much comes from a protest, sorry to say.”
“But I do think that it shows the community how many people are together on this,” Lampell added. “It gives us more spirit to carry on and keep fighting, instead of just succumbing to the fear and hate.”
Woodside residents organized the town’s first “No Kings” demonstration on March 28. Photo courtesy of Thalia Lubin. 
Two protesters arrived on horseback in Woodside. 
Protesters wave at passing cars in Woodside. 
Becky Witter protests in Woodside across from Roberts Market on March 28. Photo courtesy of Thalia Lubin. 
Signs urge billionaires to stop supporting Trump.
In Woodside, which saw the town’s first “No Kings” protest March 28, protesters met at the corner of Woodside and Cañada roads, with one estimate putting the number at 450. The turnout, which included at least two people on horseback, astonished organizer Emery McGuire, who said he expected maybe 60 people.
“That’s like 10% of Woodside,” McGuire said.
The veteran activist said he was inspired to kickstart his own “No Billionaire Kings” demonstration because the others he had seen did not adequately target billionaires, who he feels are exerting influence in favor of Trump.
Protesters at Menlo Park’s “No Kings” event on March 28. Courtesy of ProBonoPhoto.org/Alfred Leung. 
Protesters at Menlo Park’s “No Kings” event on March 28. Courtesy of ProBonoPhoto.org/Alfred Leung. 
Protesters at Menlo Park’s “No Kings” event on March 28. Courtesy of ProBonoPhoto.org/Alfred Leung. 
Protesters at Menlo Park’s “No Kings” event on March 28. Courtesy of ProBonoPhoto.org/Alfred Leung. 
Protesters at Menlo Park’s “No Kings” event on March 28. Courtesy of ProBonoPhoto.org/Alfred Leung.
In Menlo Park, protesters converged in the plaza in front of Kepler’s books on El Camino Real, fanning out with signs and flags for several blocks, down to Middle Avenue. A band, complete with microphones and a drum kit, played protest songs.
At times, groups of demonstrators lined both sides of the road and few ventured into the median strip, urging drivers to honk in support. The effect was cacophonous, as cars honked, protesters cheered and the band played.
It was Menlo Park’s first “No Kings” event, said Mary Watson of Menlo Speaks Out. After the demonstration, she said at least 1,075 attended, according to a group member who counted people with a clicker.
“It was meant to be community-building,” Watson said. “Getting so many of our residents out on this national day of protest in a peaceful and yet energetic manner made me very proud of our town!”
Members of the League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County, which partnered with Menlo Park Speaks Out to organize the event, wore neon-yellow reflective vests with the word “peace” on them and monitored the event.
Mary Murphy, a Redwood City resident standing on the sidewalk in a baseball cap and yellow vest, said she and the other volunteers were there to make sure everyone stayed safe. She said Menlo Park’s demonstration had been very peaceful.
“People are out with all different kinds of issues. It’s good to see everyone participating,” she said, raising her voice over the incessant beeping of passing cars.
Murphy said voting is her primary reason for coming out. “I want to be sure that everyone who wants to vote can vote, and be sure we’re protecting that right for everyone.”
Demonstrators’ messages ran the gamut from pro-democracy to anti-Trump. Others protested the war in Iran and ICE. “Pretti clear Trump must go for Good,” said a sign referencing the Americans killed in Minneapolis during the ICE enforcement surge this winter. Another exhorted Congress to “do your job” by not funding the war and putting “the Trump regime in check.”
“This isn’t a left or right moment, it is a right or wrong moment – Senator Cory Booker” one sign proclaimed in bold letters. “Go to sleep in a democracy, wake up in a dictatorship,” said a sign held by a senior citizen wearing suspenders
Barb Zivkov of Menlo Park said this wasn’t her first “No Kings” demonstration. What keeps her coming to protests?
“This ends when enough of us say no,” she said.
Almanac editor Andrea Gemmet contributed to this report.
