San Francisco erupted in peaceful resistance on a pivotal Saturday, as tens of thousands of protesters marched from Dolores Park to Civic Center Plaza, united against what they perceived as escalating authoritarian tactics by the Trump administration.

The “No Kings” protest, part of over 2,000 coordinated nationwide demonstrations, challenged military parade celebrations and immigration enforcement actions. Participants carried powerful messages challenging potential civil rights violations, with many expressing deep concerns about due process and immigrant protections.

A 22-year-old protester, speaking under a pseudonym out of fear, captured the collective sentiment: “I need to be able to step out of my comfort zone and be able to speak the truth and be able to stand up for what’s right. They’re doing terrible things to good people, and I don’t think that’s okay”.

The demonstration remained peaceful, drawing praise from Mayor Daniel Lurie. However, some protesters criticized Lurie’s approach, arguing his proposed budget cuts to the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs undermined sanctuary city principles.

Sanika Mahajan from Mission Action highlighted the protesters’ potential impact, declaring, “When we’re united and in the streets, and organized together across all sectors, we can build a fighting movement and we can win more and more”.

Organizations like Indivisible, the American Civil Liberties Union, and 50501 coordinated the event, which specifically challenged potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions and proposed healthcare funding cuts.

The march represented more than a protest; it was a powerful statement of collective resistance against policies perceived as threatening vulnerable communities. With future demonstrations planned, including upcoming Pride Parade events, the Bay Area’s activist community remains committed to defending civil liberties.

Further protests are scheduled for June 22 at Polk and Washington streets, signaling continued grassroots momentum in challenging what protesters view as authoritarian overreach.