"No Kings: Vote Early" Protest Draws Hundreds to Alameda Park
By Iris Heckes
On Saturday, Oct. 17, at 12:00 p.m., more than 1,000 Santa Barbarans gathered at Alameda Park to protest what they believe is unchecked executive power in the United States.
“America belongs to its people, not to a king, not to a dictator, and not to any one person who believes they are above the law,” said Indivisible Santa Barbara Vice President Myra Paige.
The “No Kings” protest is designed to protest policies, executive expansion, and other tendencies of the Trump Administration. Indivisible has chapters across the country, and the protest was organized by Santa Barbara’s chapter. The chapter was formed 10 years ago during the first Trump administration. Paige spoke on stage at the event. In 2025, Paige was named Democratic Woman of the Year by Democratic Women of Santa Barbara.
The protest’s main concerns include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, international conflicts, and overall executive policies. However, Saturday’s protest had a specific call to action: Vote Early, encouraging citizens to vote before midterm election ballots are due on Nov. 3. Indivisible Santa Barbara wanted to encourage community members to vote, so the rally was structured as nonpartisan. They encouraged community members to leave candidate and ballot measure signs at home.
Alameda Park was filled with sign-holders young and old. A stage was set up in the north end of the park, surrounded by a few local advocacy organizations’ booths.
Paige started the event with a speech and rallying cry: “Democracy does not survive on promises alone. It survives when people stand up, speak out, hold their leaders accountable, and exercise one of the most powerful rights we possess, the right to vote!”
805UndocuFund’s executive director, Primitiva Hernández Martinez, was supposed to speak after Paige. Hernández Martinez could not attend to speak due to an ICE surge in Santa Maria. Her words were honored on stage by another Indivisible speaker.
Hannah Beth Jackson, former California State Senator, then spoke. Paige introduced Jackson, saying, “With her wit and wisdom, her spirited speeches inspire us to work harder, to be better, and we’re so happy to have you with us today.” Jackson then said, “[Trump] has betrayed our country and its people, and it’s time to get rid of him and the feckless thugs [ICE agents] who were out there, the storm troopers in Santa Maria… who are creating fear in our communities, who are keeping people from exercising their right to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which is a promise made to every American in this country!”
One booth at the park was The Craftivists. Also formed 10 years ago, The Craftivists set up to raise money for the 805UndocuFund: a nonprofit that provides assistance and advocates for undocumented California immigrants. “[The Craftivists] make crochet hats, knit hats, hearts, badges, signage and anything we could think of,” said member Charlotte Gould. To raise money, the Craftivists “have now made over 22,000 buttons,” said Gould. The Craftivists do a lot for the Santa Barbara community. “[The Craftivists] raise money for various issues, like support of Ukraine, our immigrant neighbors, LGBTQ rights,” said Gould.
Another booth was 805Action. Founded by activist Ethan Maday, 805Action is a youth-led advocacy organization centered around environment and climate change activism. Riley Zant, a junior at San Marcos High School, was helping pass out signs she and friends helped create from recycled cardboard. The signs had clever puns such as “You can’t spell ‘hatred’ without ‘red hat.’”
The march began at 12:30 p.m. Participants walked six blocks on Anacapa Street to the De La Guerra Plaza. Led by a large banner saying “No Kings” and a jazz band known as The Brasscals, marchers filled the street with cheers, shouts, and songs. The protest was large in numbers and loud in volume. The protesters stomped their way down the street with hope.
Once the protesters arrived at De La Guerra, even more booths were set up, including Planned Parenthood, Santa Barbara Tenants Union, and more.
Local officials at the protest included Rep. Salud Carbajal; City Council members Wendy Santamaria and Oscar Gutierrez; council members and mayoral candidates Kristen Sneddon and Eric Friedman; as well as council candidates Cevin Cathell, Ian Bauke, and Devon Wardlow.
Many protesters held signs saying things like “I like my ice crushed” and “ice out of 805.” Santamaria explained why the event was important in regard to ICE. “Today is one of those moments where you can see that you’re not alone in standing up to fascism. Fascism right now, we are seeing it in the form of ICE terrorizing our neighborhoods,” said Santamaria. “At a time when people feel the most afraid to go out and vote, go out and go to work, take their kids to school, we are trying to show people that they are not alone,” said Santamaria.
The people of Santa Barbara rallied and marched for a cause they honestly believe in. Every community member in attendance and others unable to make it are fearful of current executive rule, war outbreak, and immigration deportation, but they joined as a community to vote and demonstrate the importance of voting and voting early.
Ballots are due for the midterm election on Nov. 3. For voting information, visit https://www.countyofsb.org/acr-elections.
