Protesters in Bakersfield joined thousands across the country Saturday morning for the “NO KINGS: Day of Defiance” protest, gathered in front of the Liberty Bell in downtown Bakersfield. The nationwide action brought together community members who said they were fed up with what they view as threats to democracy and human rights by the Trump Administration.
The protest was set for the same day as a military parade in Washington, D.C., planned by Trump to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday.
Kern County protesters gather to participate in the nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest in downtown Bakersfield at Liberty Bell. (Jocelynn Landon/Kern Sol News)
Among them was community member Aubrey Letcher, 27, who said she was there to stand in solidarity with marginalized communities.
“We grew up around the Latino community. We’re Indigenous, and we’ve dealt with health issues too,” said Letcher. “Everything Trump’s doing is wrong. We believe in a free Palestine. We believe in due process. There are no illegal people here.”
Though this wasn’t her first protest, Letcher said it was the first time she’s attended a rally directly tied to Trump. She said she’s been to other protests before, like the Roe v. Wade rallies, and that activism runs in her family. Her dad has been protesting for years and was involved in labor movements inspired by César Chávez.
“It feels awesome to be protesting here in my hometown, especially knowing it’s happening all across the country,” she said. “It’s nice to see people working toward a common goal.”
Abigail Reyes, 21, said this was her first protest and came after seeing recent immigration raids.
“I’m here because I believe no one is illegal, especially on stolen land,” Reyes said. “People just want a better life. Separating families and sending people back to where they came from it’s just not right.”
Reyes said she felt welcomed and inspired by the supportive atmosphere by the crowd at the protest in Bakersfield.
“There’s so much love out here,” she said. “It feels good to be part of something this big, where everyone’s looking out for each other.”
Bakersfield protesters came out early this morning to protest in front of the Liberty Bell in downtown for the NO KINGS “Day of Defiance” rally. The event drew a large crowd despite temperatures topping 90 degrees, joining thousands across the country in a national protest. (Haley Duval/Kern Sol News)
Luciel, another protester who only wanted to share her first name, didn’t hold back when asked why she showed up.
“I hate Donald Trump,” she said. “I’m tired of feeling like I can’t use my voice. What’s happening in this country is not okay, and not enough people are saying anything.”
Protesters participating in the nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest in downtown Bakersfield at Liberty Bell. (Jocelynn Landon/Kern Sol News)
Ashley Garcia Rios, one of the event speakers shared she is the daughter of hardworking immigrant parents who came to America with a search to provide better opportunities for their children and generations. As a result, Rios was able to go far in the education system and is a first generation college student who aspires to become a pediatric nurse.
“They brought with them a thick accent. Full of foot pain, back pain, full of stories to tell us,” said Rios.
However what most might not see is that since 2016, Rios has been scared that her family would get separated, saying that people will never understand the journey that she went through. Rios now uses her power and voice to fight to keep families together, and said that she will continue to do so because her parents walked days and weeks to get here.
“We are separated by borders that never naturally existed. If there is anything that I learned in life, it is to use your heart, your talent.. to heal and preserve… Fighting for something bigger than yourself brings purpose,” said Rios.
The folks at the rally advocated to no longer have people or government on “thrones” that were built by the working class and the poor people of the county. The crowd chanted “NO KINGS” throughout the event.
Protesters in front of the Liberty Bell in downtown for the NO KINGS “Day of Defiance” rally. (Haley Duval/Kern Sol News)
“We are not here to honor rulers. We’re here to challenge the lie. The many lies that greatness or power belongs to one man, one voice,” said Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone a Bakersfield College professor and Bakersfield City School District trustee. “It belongs to one people, one country and you’re looking at them right now.”
During Boone’s speech, she spoke to the women present directly, Boone emphasized their strength to advocate for justice and break the cycle of silence. She urged them to “rebel against the silence” that was taught to grandmothers, mothers and daughters.
She also rallied for different areas that are under attack such as national parks, healthcare and public education.
“And when they come on a bus that says San Bernadido and they park across the street from our schools and they try to silently take our neighbors away we fight like hell,” she stated.
Boone said that we are not his subjects, we are not here to serve, but we are the people of Bakersfield and that in the Central Valley, we harvest more than crops. She said the central valley has powerful unions, raises resilient children and today is just the beginning of us rising for democracy and freedom.
Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone a Bakersfield College professor and Bakersfield City School District trustee giving a speech in front of the Liberty Bell for the NO KINGS “Day of Defiance” rally. (Haley Duval/Kern Sol News)
The Bakersfield Police Department released a statement to announce the protest was peaceful, aside from a few minor traffic issues.
“A substantial number of community members gathered to exercise their First Amendment rights,” the department said in a press release. “We sincerely thank our community for demonstrating with respect and civility during this important time.”
