Thousands rally in Napa County as ‘No Kings’ protests draw crowds across U.S.

About 4,000 people gathered downtown in Napa on Saturday to protest the Trump administration’s policies as part of the third national “No Kings” rally. 

Elsewhere in Napa County, 400 people rallied in Calistoga while about 70 people protested in American Canyon.

The Napa Takes Action coalition helped organize the No Kings rally at Oxbow Commons, one of 3,300 that took place Saturday, nationwide. Napa’s event was followed by a march to from the Oxbow to Main Street and back.

“I think it’s important to speak up and show unity with our fellow human beings,” said Napan Anita Thomsen, a retired veterinary technician, as she stood near the First Street Bridge carrying Margarita, her 14-year-old Chihuahua. 

Jodi Couick, a mental health worker for four decades, helped organize the event with two dozen steering committee members. Like other speakers, she encouraged the crowd to unite and take action.

“We’re all in this together,” Couick said during the 45-minute rally.

She had never planned to become an activist, but she no longer had that privilege, given the “racism, cruelty and the current injustices of the current administration.”

“Like you, I needed a place to express my outrage to what is happening and do whatever I can to help protect our democracy,” Couick told the crowd.

Other speakers included CrossWalk Community Church pastor Peter Shaw who urged the crowd to be involved. “This is your moment to take that next step to find out what you can do to exercise the power that you have so that there will be no kings in the United States of America.”

Retired attorney Jim Jones asked for unity, saying Donald Trump tries to stir divisions. “We want to be together as Americans.”

Rona Brackett, of Napa, came to the rally with husband Kevin, who was celebrating his 78^th birthday.

“Let us come together and unite in joy and peace,” said Brackett as the crowd sang, “We shall overcome,” the civil rights-era song.

Rian Lindley came with friends. “We need to protest. We need to speak out with what’s going on in the government,” said Lindley, a teacher, who came with a homemade sign that read, “Can’t Spell Hatred without Red Hat.”

“We need to hold our elected officials accountable, especially those that represent us in the nation and the world,” Lindley added as the Cosmos Percussion Ensemble played.

She and her friends wanted to be with a community of like-minded people for support. “It does help,” said Julie Picard, who is also a teacher.

Tess Totte, of Vallejo, a palliative social worker, signed up for the Democrats of Napa Valley at the rally. She came to the rally with friends to protest against the wars and ICE.  It’s “about time to have some balance of power which has been lost,” she said.

Meanwhile, in Calistoga, protesters gathered at noon across the Lincoln Avenue Bridge. 

Residents were in good spirits, conversing with one another while holding signs expressing their discontent and cheering as they elicited honks of solidarity from passing cars. Music blared from speakers provided by Yountville resident Michael Madden, and crowds chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go.” 

Calistoga resident Jesse Lopez protested alongside three generations of family members.

“Being the daughter of an immigrant, I have always been very passionate against what is going on in our country,” Lopez said. “No one that lives here is not an immigrant, unless you are Native American. For there to be people that are being targeted for the color of their skin daily is absolutely unjustifiable and ridiculous.” 

She added, “I love the United States, but I hate what we’re doing to each other and what is going on across the seas as well — what is going on in Palestine, what is going on in Iran — it’s disgusting; it is brutal.”

Jim Flamson said that while he was displeased with Congress, he was heartened by the response of fellow Calistogans.

“We’re fed up,” Flamson said. “Every day you pick up the paper and it’s getting worse and worse. I’m very disappointed in Congress for not having the courage to stand up to the Republicans.”

Looking across a sea of protesters lining either side of the street, he added, “This is a small town at its best. The vibe is joyful –– we’re all in this together and we’re all on the same team.”

Also at the rally were St. Helena residents and friends Lyn Hamilton and Marjorie Hoyer Smith. At ages 93 and 87, the women said they had attended their first-ever protests last year, following the onset of the second Trump administration. Since then, they haven’t stopped protesting.

In addition to cutting funding to essential programs, they said they are most concerned about upholding human decency.

“We need somebody in office that understands the United States and knows what we stand for,” Hamilton said. “We stand for the freedom of everybody, and we take care of our people.”

In American Canyon, protesters gathered at the corner of Highway 29 and American Canyon Road.

“It’s all about showing up,” said Cindy Lederer, who walked from her house to the rally, carrying her homemade sign made with a broom handle and poster paper that read “Impeach, Remove, Convict.”

Katie and Jeff Hanson came with their three children, ages 6, 5 and 2, all holding homemade signs.

“It’s the right thing to do,” said Katie Hanson, a teacher. “As a Christian – and knowing a lot of Christians who voted for him – I think he represents the furthest thing from what the Good News is.”

American Canyon residents Ana and George Gong came to the rally a few hours after participating in Vallejo’s “No Kings” event. George Gong, a retired law enforcement officer, said Trump’s administration “is running America into the ground.”

Like others, George Gong, said he appreciated being with people of the same mind. He wants to encourage other people to join the protests. “The more the merrier,” Gong said, holding his “No Kings in America” sign. 

“It’s nice to see so many people come out,” Ana Gong said.

Danielle Wilde contributed to this story.

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