By Jon Chown
Organizers estimated that more than 15,000 people attended the Oct. 18 No Kings Rally in Santa Cruz, and another 2,000-plus at the event in Watsonville. Both were part of what was probably the largest nationwide demonstration in American history as more than 2,700 events were held across the country with more than 7 million people attending.
Ross Levoy of Santa Cruz stood on a grassy slope listening to people speak at the beginning of the Santa Cruz rally before protesters would march from San Lorenzo Park to the county building and back. The park was packed with people and Levoy said the crowd was about 20 to 30% larger than the last No Kings event he attended in June.
Protesters hold signs and chat together in San Lorenzo Park.
“Believe it or not, this is my first time I’ve ever protested anything,” said the retiree who has lived in Santa Cruz for 43 years. “You can’t hide your head in the sand anymore.”
Mary Lynne Connor of Aptos was standing not far away, holding a protest sign. Connor is retired after a 42-year career in teaching and now volunteers for a variety of causes, including feeding homeless at the St. Francis Soup Kitchen. She said she can’t stand to see the suffering as programs are cut. “It’s very scary,” she said. “People are being pushed to the side.”
Connor’s sign, which read “I Have A Dream” with a comical image of President Trump in handcuffs being led to prison, garnered a lot of compliments from the crowd.
“That’s the best sign I’ve seen all day!” A fellow protestor exclaimed while walking by, wearing a T-shirt that said “I am Aunt Tifa.”
The mood of the protest was mostly jovial. Police presence was so minimal it wasn’t visible. Many protesters were in costume, some carried instruments and most had signs. Some of the signs had pointed messages, some were profane, many poked fun at the president and some were just funny. “Hey Alexa, Change the President,” “IKEA Has Better Cabinets Than Trump,” “ICE is for Soda.”
Entire families took part in the rally. George Zaferes of Aptos attended with his wife and five friends. The women in the group were dressed in banana costumes. Zaferes estimated that there were about 20 percent more people than at the No Kings rally in June.
“I’ve always been a centrist politically, but what I’m seeing in Washington is really alarming,” he said. “I am a patriot. Everyone has their reason for being out here and they’re all legitimate. What this administration is saying about these protests is different from what I’m seeing.”
Protesters could be seen in many busy places throughout the city. They lined Ocean Street and waved to honking cars. Over in Watsonville, the event was mostly contained to the City Plaza, which was packed with people. Voters were being registered at one booth. At another booth, protest signs were quickly being created. Many of those in attendance were from outside of Watsonville and came to support what they see is a community in the crosshairs. Laura Milligan, from Santa Cruz, drove up from Carlsbad to participate in the Watsonville event.
“It seems like it has more impact here. This is where a lot of local families live who are in need of protection from policies that are unconstitutional,” she said.
Protesters have fun in Watsonville.
Alice Rockhold and Anne Marie Sorcenelli, both from Rio Del Mar, came with a group of friends to support Watsonville. For Rockhold, this is her ninth protest since January. She has protested at the Tesla dealership in Monterey, at an event in Lake Tahoe, and other spots along the way.
“Our democracy is being attacked,” Rockhold said. “People are being arrested and sent to countries where they don’t even know the language.”
“The graft is unreal,” Sorcenelli said, who also mentioned the controversy around the U.S. Navy recently destroying about half a dozen different boats alleged to have been ferrying drugs out of Venezuela. “Why don’t they arrest them if they are carrying drugs?”
Mel Anderson, a 1959 graduate of Watsonville High School, stood beside the two women. He had his own agenda. “I just follow the ladies,” he said.