Shannon Bigelow ’29
Staff Writer
On Saturday, Oct. 18, Claremont came together to participate in the “No Kings” protest. The event was held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at one of Claremont’s busiest intersections, Foothill Boulevard and Indian Hill Boulevard. People came from around the city and beyond, and police and organizers estimated that around 1,500 participants attended.
The goal of the rally was to join in the nationwide “No Kings” demonstration opposing authoritarianism and promoting democratic values. Consistent with Claremont’s legacy of activism, people of all ages were eager to join together to protest abuse of power in Trump’s second administration. The displays appeared peaceful, diverse, and energetic, with chants of “No Kings, no tyrants” and “Democracy for all” ringing throughout the city.
The protesters ranged from families to students to retirees to first-time activists, creating a diverse yet similarly minded crowd. People arrived in all different styles, holding various props. There were homemade signs where people bore their concerns and held them up for all to see. Many also came in colorful costumes, with unicorns, elephants, and capybaras in the crowd.
Between Indivisible Claremont and other regional volunteer networks, many worked to organize an effective and worthwhile rally. To put this together, community and online meetings were held, as well as collaboration with local advocacy groups.
Volunteers at the event directed traffic and distributed water to keep the crowd hydrated. Additionally, they utilized Claremont Police to ensure a safe protest. Their goal was to set the stage for protesters to show up wherever they felt right and make their voices heard.
Many saw the rally as vital to oppose the Trump administration, citing concerns of human rights violations, erosion of democratic checks and balances, and issues of power imbalance/abuse. The organizers and citizens of Claremont prioritized combating these injustices through a nonviolent approach, aiming to promote solidarity and broader democratic values.
People attended the rally for a multitude of reasons. Some primarily oppose Trump’s brutality at the border and treatment of immigrants. These people might be at risk or have loved ones at risk of punishment due to Trump’s increasingly severe border threats. Others showed up to defend the right to free journalism and to make each voice heard. Many, however, were there for a combination of these injustices.
“I went to No Kings to practice my right to protest and register dissent against Trump and his regime of terror,” Noa Polish ’26 said. “There were hundreds of folks there of all ages with all different sorts of signs, walking back and forth across Foothill and Indian Hill. Being in public in this way with so many others was really meaningful. I hope it moves Claremont to take continued action.”
Speakers at the event gave inspiring testimonies and encouragement to attendees. First, Peter Gallup, a U.S. Veteran, drew on experience from the Vietnam era. He applauded protesters for showing up and preached that their attendance symbolized a generational call to remain vigilant.
Gallup said democracy “isn’t inherited, it’s defended.”
Robers Alonso spoke next, drawing from his life as a local father and small-business owner from Glendora, California. Alonso condemned the brutal immigration enforcement and defended restoring fairness and compassion in how America treats families.
Chere Dorman of Claremont continued Alonso’s message as she expressed her deep shock at the cruelty she witnessed in detention centers and family separation at the border.
“Silence in the face of such suffering felt like complicity,” Dorman said.
Later, Lisa Dorman, a constitutional scholar and longtime activist, focused her remarks on the legal principles she felt were under threat. She said that the rule of law defined the American presidency. Her voice underscored a message of not just compassion, but constitutional order.
Last to speak was Angie Hacker, a mother and environmental activist in Claremont. She reminded people of the pressing threats to our climate and how it will impact future generations. She said that when leaders deny science and suppress democratic power, “it all connects — the planet, justice, and power.”
Zooming out, roughly 2,700 “No Kings” events were organized nationally. With rallies held in Los Angeles, Redlands, Pasadena, and many other locations, Southern California showed up in force for the movement.
The themes each protest promoted centered on upholding democracy, immigration justice, environmental responsibility, and social equity. Small-city activism, such as Claremont’s, demonstrated that civic responsibility extends beyond major metropolitan areas and matters on the local level.
Many people across Claremont came together to assert democracy, dignity, and civic power. Despite their frustration, their determination was palpable. Organizers plan to continue engaging in town halls, reaching out to voters, and promoting community dialogue to sustain their momentum.
Photo Courtesy of Ellie Sandeen ’26
