No Kings Day Protests Planned in Bay Area Amidst National Guard Deployment Fears

Millions of Americans, primarily in the Bay Area and across the country, are gearing up for another “No Kings” protest on Saturday. This comes as there’s mounting concern about President Donald Trump potentially deploying the National Guard to San Francisco and other cities. These protests aim to peacefully challenge the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on the nation’s governance.

Growing Tension Over Potential National Guard Deployment

Concerns over the potential deployment of the National Guard are fueled by President Trump’s recent statements, which follow his earlier actions in deploying the Guard to Los Angeles during ICE protests in June. This move was met with immediate legal challenges from California, which sued the Trump administration for its use of federal troops without proper justification.

Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the situation at an unrelated press conference on Thursday, expressing his belief that the president is trying to illegally use federal troops as a personal police force. He stated, “His latest assertion that he was going to come to San Francisco. On what basis? He didn’t even claim, there’s no pretext anymore. Let’s disabuse ourselves that there has to be a pretext with Donald Trump, that there’s anything that would justify that there’s no existing protest in a federal building, there’s no operation that’s being impeded. I guess it’s just a training ground for the president of the United States. It is grossly illegal. It’s immoral. It’s rather delusional.”

“No Kings” Protests Planned Across the Bay Area

In response to these tensions, three separate “No Kings” gatherings are scheduled in San Francisco and dozens more across the Bay Area on Saturday. Organizers anticipate massive turnout at the downtown San Francisco event alone, with thousands expected to attend. They aim to peacefully push back against the White House’s influence, emphasizing their belief that no single person or group should control the country.

Dianne McClure, VP of National Nurses United, said, “We do not believe in one person or one group of people, such as billionaires controlling our country. That’s not what our nation was built upon. To threaten sending in the National Guard or any anything of that matter, that’s that just means that we’re effective in our organizing for our event.”

SFPD and Street Closures

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has a long-standing commitment to protecting First Amendment rights and facilitating free speech. They will provide support to ensure public safety during the protests while also being prepared for any potential issues that may arise. To manage traffic flow, several streets in downtown San Francisco will be closed on Saturday:

First, from 1:15 to 2 p.m., Market Street will be closed between Beale and Steuart, as well as Steuart Street between Market and Howard. Spear Street will also be closed between Market and Folsom, and Main Street will be closed between Market and Howard. All intersections with Mission Street will remain open.

Second, from 2 to 4 p.m., Market Street will be closed between Eighth and Steuart, Hyde Street between McAllister and Market, and Grove Street between Market and Van Ness. These closures aim to ensure smooth flow for the expected crowds while minimizing disruption to businesses and residents.

National Guard Deployments in Other States

While President Trump’s calls for deploying National Guard troops to San Francisco may not have been directly related to these protests, it’s important to note that troops will be present at protests in other states. For instance, the governor of Texas has ordered the deployment of members of the Guard to Austin on Saturday, highlighting the broader context of potential military intervention in public demonstrations across the country.

The “No Kings” movement gains momentum as millions prepare to take a stand against perceived corporate control and government overreach. This weekend’s protests in the Bay Area and beyond will undoubtedly be closely watched by both supporters and critics, further fueling the ongoing debate about social activism and its role in shaping political discourse in America.

You can find a complete list of planned protests across the country on the No Kings website.