Down With the Crown: Rancho Cucamonga’s No Kings Protest on Oct. 18
by Loureyna Pablo
Along the street of Haven Avenue car horns were honking, and cries of outrage and passion filled the sidewalk. A sea of bright, bold and creative posters covered every corner. While the No Kings protest officially began at 9 a.m., hundreds of protesters filled the area surrounding Rancho Cucamonga City Hall.
The second No Kings protest took place four months after the initial, which took place on President Donald Trump’s birthday (June 14). Many in Rancho Cucamonga came to express their discontent with the current government administration, joining the 2,700+ other organized No Kings protests that happened across the U.S. and worldwide.
While there were youth present, most attendees were over the age of forty. Many protesters showed up in costumes, like Karen, 57, and Joyce, 62, dressed in an inflatable ballerina costume and the Cat in the Hat respectively. Karen shared they were inspired by an earlier protest in Oregon. She felt that the silliness of their attire meaningfully contradicted the government’s twisted version of protesters.
“Tyrants don’t know what to do with humor…they want you scared. Do I look scared? They want you violent, do I look violent?” Karen stated.
Yellow No Kings bandanas wrapped around the necks of many and hung from others’ pockets. The supply had gone out way before the protest began, as early as 8:30 a.m., according to Janet Nasir, a social media liaison for Indivisible Inland Empire. The group helped distribute the bandanas and organize the Rancho Cucamonga protest.
Nasir joined after meeting them at a protest seven months prior. She’s found them to be “a group of friends to turn to,” when she feels despondent or depressed about the state of the country. Indivisible Inland Empire and the Democratic Club of the Inland Valley posted as a friendly and welcoming epicenter for attendees, along with a free sign-making station by Andy, 64.
Andy brought art supplies, sidewalk chalk and pre-made signs for those who forgot theirs or were unable to make one. He felt that the popular feature made engagement accessible for all who came. Andy stated that the large number of protestors made it impossible to use the chalk intended to draw a rainbow covering the front sidewalk of city hall.
One of the protest signs, painted by Claudine, 57, illustrated “strong together” and a colorful school of small fishes fighting back against a larger orange fish. Claudine viewed the concept as a strong visual for how the unity at something like a protest could chase out tyranny.
While she does have a background in graphic design, she felt that, "A good sign doesn’t have to be some grand artwork. It just has to resonate with others.”
The idea of No Kings did resonate with many, including religious individuals and veterans; their signs declared that their values are synonymous with those of the protest. Many showed up to break down the misconception that being anti-Trump is exclusive to a certain people.
Nicole Salazar, a 19-year-old student at Chaffey College, said that she was there to preach love. To those who felt that Christianity didn’t align with the values of the protestors, Salazar expressed that opposition to the protest was acting in direct opposition to God’s word.
She quoted Proverbs 31:8-9, as displayed on her sign, and interpreted it as, “Christ literally telling us to speak out for liberty.”
Congresswoman Norma Torres of the 35th Congressional District — which includes parts of San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties — also made an appearance, showing her support for “the community, our constitution, and our way of life as Americans to be free of dictators.”
There were no apparent arguments or hecklers present. While a few in cars flipped protestors off every now and then, a majority passed through Haven Avenue and cheered.
The people of Rancho Cucamonga showed up and out to condemn the current tyranny. Many emphasized the importance of staying informed and educated, and that every voice coming together matters.
Many stayed long after the proposed 11 a.m. conclusion time, largely due to the captivating sights, sounds and care for each other. They stood united under one cause: down with President Trump, and down with the crown.