Tens of thousands have flooded the San Diego waterfront in a massive “No Kings” protest, bringing downtown San Diego to a near standstill. The nationwide demonstration began at 10am at Waterfront Park and quickly spread onto Harbour Drive and Pacific Highway, causing widespread disruption.
Harbour Drive was shut down in both directions, with partial closures on Pacific Highway. Heavy traffic jams formed across key downtown routes as San Diego Police deployed in force to manage the large crowds.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “wall-to-wall” crowds stretching along the harbourfront. Protesters marched south past Ruocco Park before looping back north, filling the streets with chants and banners.
The protest has also severely impacted cruise ship operations at the busy San Diego cruise terminal. Authorities confirmed delays for passengers boarding and disembarking, gridlocked traffic around port entrances, and a heightened security presence at docking points. Some passengers reported being turned away or rerouted, while others were escorted through restricted access zones by police.
The “No Kings” movement is protesting several policies introduced during Donald Trump’s presidency. Key issues include strict immigration enforcement, detention practices at the Otay Mesa facility, and cuts to healthcare and social support programs. The atmosphere remains loud but largely peaceful, with protesters carrying explicit anti-Trump banners.
A lineup of speakers addressed the crowd, including Bobby Wallace, Terra Lawson-Remer, Paloma Aguirre, Manuel Retamoza, and Lorena Gonzalez. They urged for sweeping political reform and called for change.
San Diego’s protest is part of a nationwide day of action, with over 3,000 demonstrations across the United States. Organisers aim to confront what they describe as “autocratic immigration enforcement” and push for political change.
Police continue to monitor the crowd closely, and more road closures may be announced as the day progresses. Port and cruise disruptions are expected to last into the afternoon, with additional rallies planned throughout San Diego County.
Stay tuned for updates as this massive protest unfolds across San Diego and beyond.
Originally published by UKNIP.
