On Oct. 18 the “No Kings Protests” seen nationwide extended to the corner of 12th and Spring Street in Paso Robles and an even bigger rally in downtown San Luis Obispo (SLO). Around 3,000 to 5,000 people showed up to march, according to the SLO Tribune.

Earlier this year, a “No Kings” protest was held on June 14, with five million people in attendance across all 50 US states and the recent protests increased to around seven million attending. 

After taking office in January, Trump’s birthday plans on June 14 consisted of U.S. Army marches for not only his birthday, but the Army’s 250th year celebration as well. The procession planned to march along Washington D.C. and decided to combine the two events.

The celebrations had 25 military tanks along with the entirety of the celebration aiming to cost around $25 million to $45 million, according to U.S. officials. However, once news of the marches reached the public, backlash of the Trump administration’s policies and actions built up, causing the Democratic movement of “No Kings,” to be announced all over social media platforms. This saying is used to defy Trump’s authoritarian, dictator-like actions.

Junior Cyrus Chase attended the most recent “No Kings Protest,” with his parents and later started to march with fellow juniors Alana Buller and Oliver Taylor  in downtown SLO.

“Everyone was talking, there were speeches going on, and people were listening to them. There’s a lot of energy but it’s not being directed towards violence. It’s just the need for change,” Chase explained.

 He marched with a sign that said, “End the Ice Age.” Chase and his family made extras to give out to those who did not have one during the event,giving out three extra posters throughout the day.

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When making the signs for the protest Chase thought, "Some people think that a sign doesn’t really mean anything and I agree; but I think putting effort into creating something like that shows how much you care for the movement."

At the SLO march, one individual gave a speech and spoke about her experience in the southern SLO area, and how she was a part of the school’s government organization. The speaker shared the changes she was able to make by herself: she organized protests, worked toward getting school issues solved, and how she was working towards getting government issues changed. 

“[Protesting] gives a sense of hope and unity to be there with other people who are all angry and experiencing the same thing,” Chase said.