No Kings, No War, No Millionaires: Interview with Protestor at No Kings San Francisco Demonstration

Over eight million people took to the streets for the “No Kings” Demonstrations across the United States over the weekend. In 3300 cities and towns, demonstrators protested against Trump, rallying under the slogan “No Kings, No War, No Millionaires” and demanding: No ICE raids in US cities, no war against Iran, and no attacks on civil rights.

We spoke with Sara, a demonstrator at the No Kings San Francisco Protest.

RevSoc:
Sara, you participated in the No Kings Demonstration in San Francisco, where thousands of protestors showed up. Why did the demonstration take place?

Sara:
I saw people from all walks of life participating in the demonstration. People want to see Trump go for so many reasons. He made a lot of promises, for example, fixing the economy with tariffs and not fighting wars. He said he was going to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. He did not deliver, and things got worse. Here is a list of all the things he did do: He governs like a monarch, not consulting the senate and the house, he is a vile racist, he repeatedly violates the constitution, he is a pedophile and was friends with Epstein, who trafficked underage girls and made illegal deals with the powerful and wealthy (that British guy, prince Andrew, I think, for example). There are many more, unfortunately, even guys like Noam Chomsky.

He [Trump] reversed all climate policies and ruined the National Parks by firing the rangers. He doesn’t care about global warming. He is colonizing Palestine with his so-called “Board of Peace” and continuing the genocide against the Palestinians. He attacked Iran twice while they were negotiating and is currently bombing Iran, killing thousands. He is fighting Netanyahu’s war, murders innocent people, and makes life very difficult for many people around the world. It’s a catastrophe.

RevSoc:
And ICE?

Sara:
Yes, then there is ICE and their crimes and human rights violations. He sends the national guard into peaceful cities (also unconstitutional). He abducted Maduro and sent Venezuela into chaos. Additionally, he is currently starving Cuba and pressures it with a lack of basic supplies and days-long electricity outages. He is a racist. He deports citizens, legal and illegal immigrants, and has them imprisoned with no access to a lawyer. He abolished DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs) and despises the LGBTQX community. He abolished Obamacare. The list goes on and on.

 

“People want to see Trump go for so many reasons.”

RevSoc:
What were the demands of the demonstrators?

Sara:
“No Kings,” referring to his monarch-like governing style, people want to see him impeached and jailed. He is a criminal. They want ICE to leave their cities. They don’t want wars. They want him prosecuted for the crimes he committed with Epstein. They want to tax the rich. “No Oligarchs.” There were people holding banners in support of immigrants, Venezuela, Palestine, Iran, Cuba, the LGBTQX community, and children (like don’t steal my children’s and grandchildren’s future).

RevSoc:
How was the mood at the demonstration?

Sara:
People were energetically and angrily voicing their demands. This was a very empowering feeling to walk with thousands of people and to know that millions were taking to the streets across the country. It was a peaceful demonstration. However, I saw some plainclothes officers and some on the roofs. A helicopter flew over a couple of times. But no intimidation whatsoever. Maybe because it is San Francisco? There was no counter MAGA demo either.

 

“But the problems will not simply be solved by a democratic president. So much is wrong with the system, but as long as capitalism rules, nothing will truly change. But the orange clown has to go first. That is a prerequisite.”

RevSoc:
Why was including the subjects of Palestine and Iran at a demonstration against Trump important?

Sara:
Democrats support Israel just as much as Republicans. Biden supported Israel’s demolition of Gaza and the mass murder of the Palestinians. He wasn’t friendly towards Iran either. Biden also deported so many people. The difference that people see is that he didn’t go to extremes by viciously and with no warning attacking Iran. So now that a few American soldiers’ lives are at stake and the gas prices are skyrocketing as a consequence of this war, it “hits home.” And sadly, often only when it hits home, people wake up. Or better, they are going from sleep to sleepwalking. If they were awake, they might really see the bigger picture.

RevSoc:
What do you think about the fear that the protests will be co-opted by the Democrats?

Sara:
I think many anti-Maga US-Americans are pro democratic. Many don’t see an alternative because most leftist/socialist organizations and parties are too small or unknown and stigmatized. And they think getting rid of Trump and MAGA is the only way to get out of this mess. But the problems will not simply be solved by a democratic president. So much is wrong with the system, but as long as capitalism rules, nothing will truly change. But the orange clown has to go first. That is a prerequisite.

RevSoc:
So, what can be done against a co-optation of the No Kings Rallies by the Democrats?

Sara:
At the demonstration, different Leftist groups were distributing pamphlets and flyers, for example: “Solidarity against ICE and Zionism: One Struggle, One Victory” or with leaflets calling on people to join campaigns like: “Oakland People’s Arms Embargo: Deadly Cargo is being Shipped to Israel Through Oakland Airport.” It was very important that these groups were there to bring their material to people. Leftist organizations and parties need to be at every No Kings demonstration to win people over and to stop the demonstrations from being co-opted by the Democrats, who want to practically continue the same imperialist policies of Trump but in a “nicer way.”

Most people in the US have been hypnotized with anti-socialist propaganda since birth. It is difficult for Socialists in the US, but the Left needs to work on losing that prejudice against them. That’s why slogans like “Tax the rich” is a good start. Because people can relate. Why do 5 % (or less) own everything? Why do people who earn minimum wage or a little more have to pay taxes? Why is there no free healthcare and education for everybody? The Left needs to be creative here!

“the Left needs to show them that there is an alternative.”

RevSoc:
What should be the next steps by the Left?

Sara:
We need a mass movement to get Trump removed. We need strikes, mass mobilization and long-term organizing. Here there needs to be a strong Left within the movement to win people over to their Socialist positions. Because so many people have illusions in the system and the Democrats, the Left needs to show them that there is an alternative. There are many, many socialist organizations and parties in the USA, but they are splintered and small. We need a strong socialist alternative to the two-party system, where the Republican and Democratic parties virtually represent two sides of the same coin.