Thousands converged on the streets of downtown San Antonio for the “No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance,” a national day of protest in response to President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C.
The San Antonio protest occurred in tandem with over 2,000 demonstrations nationally, which collectively drew over 5 million attendees, according to NPR.
San Antonio police told News 4 they estimate more than 10,000 people showed up for the downtown demonstration and march, which started in Travis Park and then looped through the city’s tourism corridor. The marchers braving the scorching temperatures included not just activists but families and senior citizens. Many carried U.S. flags, Mexican flags and rainbow Pride banners.
The protest was organized by a coalition that included SATX 50501, the Bexar County Democratic Party, Indivisible SATX and others.
Organizers expected about 4,000 people to show up based on advance registrations, according to Bexar County Democratic Party Chairwoman Michelle Lowe Solis. However, registration was unnecessary to attend, meaning the actual number was likely much higher.
“People believe that we’re about to lose our democracy,” Solis told the Current at the event. “They’re mad with ICE, they’re mad with the $40 million-plus parade that’s going on today, they’re mad with the billionaire tax cut.”
Local activists along with politicians including U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, and city council members Teri Castillo and John Courage delivered impassioned speeches at Travis Park blasting the Trump administration for tamping down individual rights and dividing the country.
Some called out U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for its recent San Antonio raids, while others skewered Gov. Greg Abbott for dispatching Texas National Guard troops to the Alamo City in what they said was an effort to intimidate protesters and suppress free speech.
“This administration is adamant that immigrants are criminals invading our country,” Jessica Solis of the Party for Socialism and Liberation told the crowd. “The only ones invading our communities are ICE, the Department of Homeland Security and now the National Guard.”
Despite the impassioned speeches and chants of “Fuck Donald Trump” and “Fuck Greg Abbott,” the protest remained peaceful. The San Antonio Police Department expressed its gratitude to the marchers for remaining peaceful even as emotions ran high.
“A heartfelt thank you to the thousands of demonstrators and organizers who came together today,” read SAPD’s Saturday evening Facebook post. “You showed the nation how peaceful, respectful gatherings are done. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to making our community proud!” As videos emerged of streets packed with thousands in cities throughout the nation, videos simultaneously emerged of Trump’s seemingly sparsely attended military parade. The White House said it organized the event to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, but it also happened to coincide with Trump’s birthday.
Rather than serving as a show of force for Trump, the day seemed to have the opposite effect.
“We are the people,” Solis said. “The government derives its power from us.”
