This is a cross-published piece with Mustang News, more information can be found here.
At the second “No Kings” protest of the year, thousands of people demonstrated against the Trump administration and in favor of Proposition 50 in downtown San Luis Obispo Saturday morning.
A stage was set up on the intersection of Osos and Monterey streets, and speeches began just after 11 a.m. as the audience grew to between 8,000 and 10,000 individuals, according to protesters.
“We’re facing a fascist threat in this country, and Proposition 50 is the way we tell the world that we’re not going to have it,” Tom Fulks, chair of the SLO County Democratic Party, said during his speech.
By 10:30 a.m., the downtown streets of Osos and Monterey were already packed with demonstrators. In addition to raising American flags, many participants held posters demanding the release of the Epstein files, voting in favor of Proposition 50, stopping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), preserving healthcare and opposing fascism.
William “Jocko” Sweet, a local resident who voted for Trump, spoke out during the rally, expressing that the president had lost his support.
“He damaged morale and weakened the integrity, and he gave pardons to service members accused of war crimes, public criticism of the military and veterans in general,” Sweet said. “So he lost my vote.”
Proposition 50 takes center stage at San Luis Obispo rally
Proposition 50, the state ballot measure that would redraw California’s congressional districts to add five Democratic-leaning seats, was also an integral topic of the rally’s messaging. Many attendees described Proposition 50 as crucial to protecting democracy and ensuring equitable representation.
READ MORE: Gerrymandering or safeguard? The political clash over Proposition 50
Participants’ discussions revealed a mix of enthusiasm and tension, with some viewing Proposition 50 as an essential safeguard against corruption and others believing it is too dangerous a move.
“I totally agree with the laws that we have in place right now about trying to make districts fair, but when you’re playing by a different set of rules, it handicaps you,” Joy Fisher, a local resident said. “Fair is fair. If they’re going to gerrymander, then it’s only fair that we gerrymander. I think it’s a chance for Democrats to stand up and fight back.”
Fisher held a sign specifically about being Christian because she thinks a lot of Christians have gotten far away from the core message of her religion, to uplift the poor and women.
“A lot of Christians are more moderate than the Republican Party suggests,” Fisher said. “The polarization between both parties really frustrates me.”
Tina Weiner, an organizer with local advocacy group Indivisible SLO, thanked attendees for what she called their “courage to stand against cruelty and corruption,” and endorsed Proposition 50.
“Here in SLO our districts won’t change, but this is how California can put its foot down,” Weiner said. “We cannot allow one party to take over the House of Representatives forever.”
Students and youth leaders emphasize democracy and inclusion
Speakers and attendees emphasized the need for unity and collective resistance throughout the morning. Student and youth voices appealed to a younger crowd as their voices were featured prominently throughout the event.
On the large screen above the stage, a video message from Cal Poly Democrats president and political science junior Talie Krantz played from Washington, D.C. Krantz said, “Let’s build the democracy we deserve” accusing the Trump administration of using government power for personal gain and undermining marginalized communities.
Bibi Shah, a junior at Arroyo Grande High School and president of the Young Progressives Club, said she joined the rally to speak against discrimination. “Bigotry has no room here,” she said during her speech to the crowd. “The first step is to show up. Gen Z, we need to make our voices heard, not our posts liked.”
Nearby, Cal Poly psychology freshman and first-generation student Naomi Tarelo stood with friends from her dorm and carried a sign that said, “if you don’t want criminals in the country, don’t elect one.” She expressed frustration over cuts to diversity and inclusion programs she believes are critical to educational access.
“Democracy looks like opportunities for everyone. Immigrants, minorities, LGBTQ people, people who don’t feel like they can speak freely.”
— Naomi Tarelo, psychology freshman
Protecting democracy was a major theme of many of the speeches and signs throughout the day. Participants and speakers often cited the Constitution and the necessity of common people standing up for democratic values against authoritarian threats.
Protesters express solidarity through symbolism and action
When Emily Francis, a San Luis Obispo City Council member but spoke as a private citizen, took the microphone she told the crowd that the protest was motivated not by anger but by hope.
“The United States doesn’t belong to the president, it belongs to us” Francis said.
Francis referenced a recent federal court ruling that found the Trump administration violated the First Amendment by attempting to deport non-citizens for their pro-Palestinian speech.
“Judge Young called it what it was — an attempt to strike fear in the people who dared to speak up,” Francis said. “We’re here to claim our democracy with our voices, our presence. Stand tall, speak loud, and keep showing up.”
As the protest continued, the crowd demonstrated the variety of issues within the “No Kings” message. In response to a viral video earlier this month that showed federal officials pepper-spraying a protester in a frog costume, many protesters wore frog costumes as a symbol of resistance.
Many protesters also wore Planned Parenthood shirts and Antifa shirts. Others distributed “Blackout the System” cards, which call for no economic activity from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2. They are part of a global movement advocating for peaceful economic disruption to force the government to listen.
READ MORE: San Luis Obispo prepares for record-breaking protest
As the speeches came to an end at 12:30 p.m., organizers cautioned participants that they did not have a permit to march downtown and that doing so could result in fines. Still, a large number of demonstrators started to march, as others stayed to dance on the blocked streets.
