AN ESTIMATED 3,000 DEMONSTRATORS attended the “No Kings” protest on Saturday in Sonoma, all with the goal of sharing their opinions and concerns regarding the actions of President Donald Trump’s second administration.
Pockets of protesters dotted over 21 miles of state Highway 12, popping up at taco trucks, vineyards, shops, restaurants and parks from Sonoma to Santa Rosa.
The largest gathering in Sonoma proper was downtown, where approximately 2,000 attendees from all walks of life lined the highway, which serves as the main artery into the bucolic wine country town.
While a general frustration about Trump and his administration’s actions tied the attendees together, the recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on workplaces, schools and courthouses weighed heavily on the minds of the participants.
Sonoma residents Joel and Maria, who declined to use their last names due to concerns for their safety, were among those lining the highway just feet from the historic Sonoma Plaza. They each held signs opposing the actions of ICE.
Joel was born and raised in Sonoma and is of Mexican descent. He said he has friends who have been directly impacted by the raids in Los Angeles. And while no confirmed ICE raids have happened in the city of Sonoma, there is concern there will be soon.
“I work in the food industry and a lot of people are afraid to show up to work,” he said.
Maria held a sign reading “BROWN IS BEAUTIFUL.” When asked why she attended the demonstration she was speechless; her eyes welled up as she tried to hold back tears.
“We’re overwhelmed by all the support for our people,” Joel jumped in, referring to other protest attendees, most of whom were white and held signs opposing ICE and supporting Sonoma’s immigrant community.
‘I just don’t recognize this country anymore’
Emotions were high throughout the event as participants cheered, jeered and mulled over Trump’s actions and words. No counter protests took place, and occupants of most cars, motorcycles and bicycles that passed cheered back, some pumping fists and waving American and Mexican flags at protesters.
“There’s just no compassion, no empathy for human beings anymore. I just don’t recognize this country anymore,” said Leana, who did not provide her name for her personal safety. A resident of Sonoma, Leana is of Mexican and Nicaraguan descent. She expressed concern about ICE’s actions, and she grew teary talking about how her mother and father emigrated from their respective countries, intent on becoming contributing members of American society.
She and her husband John waved a giant Mexican national flag along the roadside, throwing peace signs and big cheers when drivers cruised by honking horns of support.
Leana expressed frustration that so many people voted for Trump and acknowledged that he was “doing exactly what he said he’d do, so people should not be shocked.”
When asked if she thought the Democratic Party was doing enough to fight the Trump administration, she smirked. “It’s like herding cats,” she said, “Everybody has their own specific interests and not everybody has the same interests, and I get that, but there’s got to be a common goal to protect our democracy. That’s where the Democrats must coalesce.”
Protecting and promoting democracy is one reason the event was organized.
The “No Kings” protest in Sonoma was one of an estimated 2,100 demonstrations across the country, each organized by local grassroots organizations.
A day to say ‘No way!’
One of those organizations is Wake UP Sonoma, a Sonoma nonprofit with the mission “to create a community where everyone can live, love, worship and work free from bigotry and fear.” Wake UP Sonoma co-organized the Sonoma Valley-wide protests with Indivisible Sonoma County, a nonprofit founded in late 2016 to respond to the first Trump administration.
“This is an important day for us to stand up and say ‘No way! This is not happening! We’re not going to let it happen on our watch!’” said Wake UP Sonoma President Lisa Storment. She said the event is meant to inspire and engage civic participation while empowering Sonoma residents to speak out and take action.
“We’re trying to strengthen community around what is going on right now in the Trump administration, or regime,” she said. “It’s important for our community to feel visible, present and heard.”
Storment also encouraged action beyond the protest. “Volunteer with local organizations and reach out to your elected representatives and tell them how you feel,” she said, “and continue to do it.”
“We’re trying to strengthen community around what is going on right now in the Trump administration, or regime. It’s important for our community to feel visible, present and heard.” Lisa Storment, Wake UP Sonoma
That call to action was palpable among some attendees, including a family of five who stood on a street corner with signs encouraging love and kindness.
According to Erin, who refrained from giving her last name also due to safety concerns, her children had just finished learning about civic engagement at home. “We were talking about our constitutional rights and what it means, and we wanted to show them that there are people who believe in hope and believe in treating others with dignity and kindness. We came here in kindness.”
Kindness might not be the first word many attendees think of when reflecting on the Trump administration’s actions, but neither is hope.
Erin’s teen son Wicahpi felt compelled to attend the event to stand alongside his family and neighbors. “I think it’s important to have hope,” he said, “because people need something to believe in and I like to think hope helps with that.”