Close to 500 residents gathered at the Richmond Civic Center on Saturday to join the massive nationwide mobilization titled the “No Kings” rally. The local event, which featured a human banner, a downtown march, and a resource fair, was part of a coordinated effort across more than 3,100 locations nationally to protest the Trump administration’s military actions and domestic policies.
The Richmond action was organized by a broad coalition of local groups, including Richmond Indivisible, the United Teachers of Richmond (UTR), the Richmond Progressive Alliance, and the Democratic Socialists of America. Other partners included the Contra Costa Labor Council and the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN).
“I think it was a huge success,” said Kathleen Marte, an organizer with Richmond Indivisible. “We were expecting maybe 300 people, and the fact that it had three phases—a human banner, a march, and a rally—and it all went so smoothly according to plan was wonderful.”
The day began at 10 a.m. with a land acknowledgement by Allison of the organization Idle No More, followed by an address from Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Participants then formed a “human banner” on the Civic Center lawn, with over 450 people positioned to spell out the word “ICE” and “OUT” to signal opposition to recent immigration enforcement and military escalations.
Following the visual demonstration, the crowd marched up Barrett Avenue to 32nd Street before turning onto Macdonald Avenue. The procession passed back by the Civic Center and concluded at the parking lot located at 25th Street and Barrett Avenue, across from the Richmond Art Center.
The concluding rally featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including City Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Doria Robinson, alongside union members and students. The Ballet Folklorico group Lolita and a local DJ performed.
The “No Kings” movement, spearheaded nationally by the progressive organization Our Revolution, aims to highlight growing dissatisfaction with the Trump Administration’s military spending and what organizers describe as authoritarian overreach.Â
“At a time when families are struggling to afford basic necessities, this administration is choosing to invest in war and reward billionaire donors,” stated Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution.
In Richmond, organizers emphasized the peaceful and non-partisan nature of the gathering. Marte noted that the crowd represented a wide cross-section of the community in terms of age and ethnicity, all “uniting against fascism and cruelty.”
Local activists are already looking toward future mobilizations. The coalition plans to meet this week to coordinate a “May Day Strong” event on May 1, which will carry the theme “Workers Over Billionaires” to continue advocating for economic justice and community resources.
