A large crowd gathered Saturday at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton for a nationwide “No Kings Day” protest opposing policies of President Donald Trump, joining more than 3,000 demonstrations across the country.
The Stockton event, held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. near Pacific and Yokuts avenues, was among several in San Joaquin County. It was organized by Indivisible Stockton and the San Joaquin Coalition for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (SJC4DEI). Additional protests took place in Manteca and Tracy.
Organizers said turnout in Stockton reached into the thousands, continuing a trend of growing participation at similar events over the past year.
Protesters lined the streets with signs and chanted slogans including “No kings, no ICE, no wars,” while passing drivers honked in support. Signs carried messages ranging from “With fear for our democracy, I dissent” to “I like my martinis and my democracy without ICE,” “War crimes don’t hide sex crimes” and “Are you going to keep quiet until they come for you?”
Delta College police were stationed near America’s Tire and near the DeRicco Student Services Building. Officers reported no incidents during the demonstration.
Many attendees said they were motivated by concerns about corruption weakening the country’s democratic institutions, immigration enforcement and human rights.
Patti Kennedy, 66, of Stockton, said she has been attending weekly protests at San Joaquin Delta College organized by Hands Off Stockton since April 2025.
“I want to protect the constitutional republic,” Kennedy said. “I want to see the branches of government do the checks and balances of power that they should be doing to control an uncontrolled, incompetent leader.”
Kennedy carried a sign featuring a taco, which she said was inspired by what she described as inconsistent policy decisions.
“It’s inspired by his tendency to propose tariffs and then take them back,” Kennedy said. “That seems to be his policy — to make threats and then take them back, and it’s not a third-grade playground. It’s the world.”
The term TACO — short for “Trump Always Chickens Out” — was coined by Financial Times commentator Robert Armstrong to describe what he says is the president’s pattern of announcing heavy tariffs on countries, causing economic shocks, market panic and stock market declines, before later reversing course with pauses or reductions that can trigger a market rebound.
Kennedy said she was raised with critical thinking skills. She was taught to read for herself, make decisions and be concerned about the needs of herself, her family and her community.
“As a white woman, I have a certain privilege and I feel that I need to use that privilege to protect my rights and the rights of everyone in this country,” Kennedy said.
She said she has noticed growing support for the protests from the community over time.
“I’m more comforted by the response of those driving by,” Kennedy said. “There are fewer people who flip us off or throw garbage or drinks at us.”
She urged those who once supported Trump to realize that he had not been truthful with them.
“If you were moved when you had to read Anne Frank and you wondered what you would do, this is the time to do what you would do,” Kennedy said.
Dana Curtis, a Stockton resident in her late 60s, helps organize weekly Hands Off Stockton protests at Delta College and said the group has demonstrated consistently since mid-2025.
At Saturday’s protest, she wore a yellow shirt that said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” a quote by anthropologist Margaret Mead.
Curtis said the demonstrations bring together people with different perspectives but shared concerns.
“We may have different reasons that we’re here, but we’re all here for the big picture of standing together against the current administration,” she said.
Curtis added that concerns over human rights, the rights of the undocumented and LGBTQ+ rights brought her out to the protest.
“If they’re not immediately impacted by this administration, everyday people will be,” she said.
Curtis encouraged people interested in attending the Hands Off Stockton protests to go to Delta College from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. She also called on people to remain civically engaged.
“Your voice is your vote,” Curtis said. “Speak up.”
Andee Zetterbaum, 74, of Stockton, attended to speak out against policies she believes harm vulnerable communities, including recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In early 2026, ICE faced severe criticism and intense public backlash following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 and the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents on Jan. 24.
“I have no objection to controlling immigration,” Zetterbaum said. “There’s no reason to terrorize people or to act illegally in doing that.”
She also said she did not agree with recent cuts to Medicaid funding. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law July 4, 2025, made significant cuts to Medicaid, according to a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The report said the law will cause 10 million more people to become uninsured by 2034.
“To be human means to care for each other, not hurt each other,” Zetterbaum said. “That’s why I’m here.”
She said she was heartened by the size and diversity of the crowd.
“It’s a party,” Zetterbaum said. “When you come to the Hands Off protests, you generally see people my age or older. To see the range of ages and sexes and genders and colors and nationalities, to see the vets who are opposing this, it is utterly delightful.”
She encouraged others who are considering attending to join the demonstrations.
“To anyone who’s been thinking about doing this, don’t be scared,” Zetterbaum said. “Come out. It’s fun.”
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton protesters join nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ rallies opposing Trump
Reporting by Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record / The Record
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