On Saturday, March 28, millions of people gathered at No Kings rallies around the country to demonstrate against President Donald Trump.
In Milpitas, several hundred people gathered in front of Milpitas City Hall to express their discontent with Trump across a multitude of fronts – the War in Iran, ICE raids, rising gas and grocery prices, the suppression of the Epstein files, voting rights, and a general concern that the country’s leadership is focused on dividing rather than uniting.
“We need to do something. It’s important, and I feel so powerless,” said one woman at the rally, who became emotional while sharing her thoughts. “It’s good to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. I can vote, I can call senators and congressmen, but it feels like I can’t really do anything. The reason that Trump acts like a king is because the Republicans are actively letting him do it.”
Karen Friedman, who was the main organizer of the Milpitas No Kings rally, spoke of how this was her first time planning an event on such a large scale…
“I love this country with all its faults and all its problems. I know that people in this country can be better right now,” said Friedman. “It seems like with the Trump administration, we’re taking a step back in terms of racial justice. I’m not giving up. I believe in the American people.”
Friedman is part of a group that calls themselves “We ARE the People.” The group consists of Milpitas residents who work to plan rallies and engage community members in political activism.
“It’s important to be in a group of like-minded people, getting together and finding a way to make a difference,” Friedman said.
Pallavi Pan was another resident out at the event, volunteering with her teenage son.
“I love America – the human dignity, the values it stands for, and the power of America stands with the people. The people of America make it great. Not the regime, not the kings, not the government. It’s the people. Every average Joe has a chance in America. The opportunities given to me by this country are so precious. I’m here for democracy and to save what is precious,” Pan said.
During the rally, Jennifer Cullenbine, who was fully decked out in patriotic clothing, moved about the crowd, passing out over 100 American flags to attendees. As she engaged with the crowd, Cullenbine was heartened to see that dozens of veterans had come out to participate in the rally.
“It feels so unfair to me that the people who are on the other side feel like they are the patriots, and we are the enemy,” Cullenbine said. “There were more than 50 veterans out here with us today, and every single one of the people protesting here is a patriot. We are standing up for democracy.”
She spoke to The Beat about how, during Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, her father took a leave of absence from work to go out to Chicago and Missouri to walk the streets and help get Obama elected.
“He was worried about the world that our children were growing up in,” Cullenbine shared. “He’s gone now, so I am protesting in his honor. Because I have children and some day will have grandchildren. And I’m very, very afraid of the world that they’re going to grow up in.”
I was there to support democracy, uphold the rule of law, and stand for enforcement of the U.S. Constitution. I would rather be doing something else on a Saturday, but the risk of losing our democracy to a lawless regime that daily violates the Constitution compelled me to participate in the largest peaceful protest is the history of this country.
I was there as well, for the very same reasons.
Woke up this morning and yep, still no kings. Thanks!