Local No Kings protests draw thousands of participants with a range of messages for the Trump administration.

A No Kings protest drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 to Window on the Bay in Monterey on Saturday, March 28, as demonstrators marched, sang, solicited honks from passing drivers and set up protest-sign festooned lawn chairs on both sides of Del Monte Boulevard from Monterey Bay Park to Camino Aguajito.

Messaging varied among participants, from protecting public lands to rejecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) overreach, avoiding war and releasing the Epstein files. One display summarized the mood as, "All of my outrage cannot fit on this sign."

"These messages have different perspectives, but it's all about saving democracy," says Lisa Fimby-Dukart of Pacific Grove, a volunteer with grassroots progressive movements Indivisible Monterey Bay and 50501. 

Instead of a lineup of scheduled speakers, the atmosphere was intentionally joyful and focused on erasing feelings of helplessness and solitude, Fimby-Dukart said. The crowd was sprinkled with demonstrators in costume and others singing "This Little Light of Mine." 

However, participants shared their general fear of the future, with many questioning Congress and concepts like patriotism and justice.

Marina residents Emily Kang and Megan Moraga, both mothers and members of military families, held up a "Don't Give Up the Ship" flag that usually flies outside of Kang's home. The message refers to Oliver Hazard Perry's battle cry during the War of 1812. 

"We are trying to remind our [military] forces not to follow illegal orders," says Kang, wearing guillotine earrings. "This whole thing feels so upside-down."

Shauna Suthers and Aaron Dye, of Seaside, snagged a spot across from the Chevron station where they played music and waved signs for passing drivers.

"My son is enlisted in the Army," Suthers says. "I am very against whatever action Trump is doing. This is the only thing we can do, to show up."

"I'm a veteran from the last endless war in the Middle East," Dye says. "If we don't say something, it will keep happening."

More than 3,000 registered No Kings demonstrations took place across the U.S. on March 28, including Monterey County events in Salinas, Big Sur, Aromas, Carmel, Marina and King City. A total of 14 protests were held throughout the Central Coast Saturday.

In Monterey, Onette McElroy, 83, says she is "here for the long haul" and brought a portable stool for her spot at the corner of Del Monte and El Estero. She returned for her second No Kings protest. 

"[Trump] is a terrible representation of the U.S.," says McElroy, who adds that she never protested before the Trump presidency. "I'm very frightened for our future."

Lisa Ward is also focused on the future, bringing two generations along with her to the protest: her daughter, Monique, and 6-year-old grandson. Monique carried a sign that said, "Mama raised me free. Let's keep it that way."

Ward says she "makes her rounds" to participate in protests, including the Women's March. Her daughter says, "I want [my son] to know when he grows up we were on the right side of history. Because the history books will be insane."

Surprising some attendees was the lack of youth participants and the large turnout of seniors.

"I was surprised," Lisa Ward says. "There are people over 70 with their walkers. I'm loving it."

A group of friends who gave only their first names—Dylan, 16, from Salinas; Leonard, 15, from Pacific Grove; and Ryan, 16, from Carmel Valley—agreed with the lack of teen representation at the protest. The killing of Alex Pretti by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis and growing threats of war were on their minds.

"There are not enough young people here," Dylan says. "Young people in America are too apathetic. We need strong opinions."

The fourth No Kings protest is tentatively scheduled for early May.