By their request, some sources are referred to only by their first name to protect privacy.
Tri-Valley residents joined No Kings protestors across the nation on Saturday, October 18th. Many protestors cited concerns over Trump administration policies and new ICE policies that encouraged them to participate.
“As someone who is a first generation immigrant myself, I think it’s really saddening to see this happening in our community. For example, ICE is planning on opening a detention center in Dublin. And hearing […] how people in the media and our own politicians refer to them as aliens or not even people. I think it’s really disheartening,” said Granada senior Anna Pham.
No Kings protestors included high schoolers to Las Positas students to long-time protestors such as Tri-Valley resident Barry. Barry recalls being tear-gassed at Berkeley during anti-Vietnam War demonstrations when he was nineteen.
“This is my calling, many, many years later. I’ve got two granddaughters that are in primary school, and that’s a motivating factor as well. That this country continues the way it’s been, [with] freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.” said Barry.
The wide age range of protestors allowed varying sectors of the Tri-Valley community to come together for a common cause.
“I was most surprised by seeing the amount of older people that were here. It’s really cool that we have people of all ages,” said Pham.
Indivisible, a grassroots organization created in 2016, organized the protest. Since then, the organization has grown to include several chapters, including one based out of the Tri-Valley.
“I’m part of Indivisible Tri-Valley. We organized the protest, and so we decided to do it in Pleasanton because the police department was super cooperative and supportive,” said Granada senior Freyjaa Kurti.
Tri-Valley residents and volunteers convened at the Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park at 1:30 p.m. After opening speeches and a land acknowledgement from Mary Puthoff, protestors also heard from Dan M, who spoke on behalf of Rosa Lopez. Lopez’s husband, Miguel Angel-Lopez Luivan, was deported to Mexico by ICE in June.
Other speakers included Assemblymember Liz Ortega and CA-14 Representative Eric Swalwell.
“We are tired of hearing ‘let’s make America great again’. What do we really want? To be good again, to be kind again, to be decent again, to be smart again,” said Swalwell in his speech.

In addition to protesting, protestors could learn about upcoming California ballot measures, register to vote, purchase merchandise, and make signs. Protestors made their voices heard with cardboard signs and yellow outfits, the designated color of the No Kings protest. Organizers encouraged protestors to come in costume. Some chose to interpret this by dressing as frogs, bananas, and toilet rolls.
“I like the frogs in Portland. So I did Kermit here,” said Dublin resident Jeff Wilson, who held a Kermit the Frog plushie which carried a “No Kings” sign.
However, not all attendees shared the same political opinions.
“I’m here because I believe that our country needs something to stand on. Right now we’re completely divided. I agree with the No Kings, and I don’t like Trump, but I don’t like the other side either. So I’m not part of any side. I’d say I’m an independent,” said De La Salle student Mateo del Arroz.
Despite the multitude of issues protestors wished to oppose, most agreed that their goal was to protect America. Protecting protestors were designated “Peacekeepers”, who kept protestors safe.
“My job is to make sure people stay off the streets and are safe while protesting, and to make sure that there are no agitators, and to make sure people stay away from the agitators. We had a safety plan before we got here on Thursday to make sure that we run over any situations or anything,” said Peacekeeper and Livermore resident Manav Patel.
Nationwide, an estimated 7 million people attended a No Kings protest. Protests occured all over the Bay Area, including in San Francisco, Oakland, and Livermore.
“We have an administration in the White House, and everybody that surrounds them seems to have a complete disregard for laws and the Constitution. […] There’s no check and balance on Mr. Trump. So it’s up to the people to say, ‘Hey, this is enough.’ We got to take to the streets or, you know, whatever else may come,” said Barry.