Tens of thousands of people defending democracy took to the streets for No Kings protests on Saturday, October 18, across the Bay Area to voice fierce opposition to the injustices perpetrated by the Trump administration. They showed up and showed out to also demand ICE agents stop violently targeting the migrant community by snatching people up at their job sites, immigration courts, and even hospitals.

The nationwide demonstrations brought together even more people than this summer, with over 7 million people participating across all 50 states. This made it one of the largest protest days in American history.

Protesters carried handmade signs declaring we do NOT accept an America ruled by billionaires making life-altering decisions for a growing population of people who have a hard time making ends meet. Tensions in the Bay Area were high, as President Trump renewed threats just days before to send federal troops into San Francisco.

“We have to come together as one like this. It gives us the right to vote, feel, and speak on how we want whether we agree to disagree. But at the end of the day, we all have to come to one common goal and that’s unity solidified,” said Anthony Mills, a custodial supervisor for the San Francisco Unified School District and SEIU 1021 Executive Board member. “Seeing this sea of purple today is a beautiful thing. I’m drowning in love right now.”

Families of all colors and ages took the message seriously while bringing some lightness to the moment, dressing in festive colors and costumes. Parents brought their children, musicians brought instruments to sing anti-fascist songs, and seniors who struggle to walk still made it a point to gather at the various meeting points nestled in our communities. 

In Oakland, SEIU 1021 members met at the Scottish Rites Center chanting, “Power, power, power – power by the hour,” as they put one foot in front of the other and marched toward Wilma Chan Park, where many more community activists gathered. 

Jocelyn Goldsmith, a board-certified lactation consultant with the City of Berkeley and an SEIU 1021 member, said, “I am really feeling moved and motivated. I feel like we have to be here together as our union to show solidarity and that they picked the wrong union to mess with. We’re not going to stand for any of this, and we have massive people power.”

Olivia Cain, an SEIU 1021 member and recreational leader of Oakland Parks and Recreation’s Youth Development, emphasized the importance of local community action in response to federal policies. “It’s really important that we all be here to not just demonstrate opposition, but remind people that w’re organized, and we are also planning more direct action to intervene and prevent what’s happening from reaching a larger scale.”  

SEIU 1021 members were also part of the labor contingent in the crowd of over 50,000 that took over the streets of downtown San Francisco Saturday afternoon, gathering near the Ferry Building and marching to Civic Center.

Erica Baldwin, a clerk for CalWorks and SEIU 1021 member who joined the march, said, “I want to protect democracy. I want to keep immigrants safe. I want to protect healthcare and housing. I don’t want hospitals to close down. Too much is riding on this. We need to fight against racism of all kinds. We need to protect our Black and brown sisters, especially as white people. We need to step up.”

Members also joined No Kings protests in Sacramento, Santa Rosa, Stockton, San Jose, and more.