Sacramento Raging Grannies are Popular with Crowd at No Kings Rally
Ellen Schwartz
WILPF Sacramento CA Branch
Singing as part of the Sacramento Raging Grannies, Sacramento WILPFers added their voices at the No Kings Rally on the grounds of the State Capitol. The Raging Grannies sang two sets, and our signature song, “We Will Block You” to the tune of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” was so popular with the crowd that they demanded an encore.
What was the size of the rally crowd? 5,000? 7,000? 10,000? What we know is that it took 45 minutes to squeeze through the throng in front of the Capitol steps, so at the very least, it was bigger than Trump’s first or second inauguration—the biggest crowd in the history of crowds.
WILPF Palo Alto Asks Community Members “What Does Peace Mean to You?” at Democracy Fair
Judy Adams, Cherrill Spencer, and Becky Fischbach
WILPF Peninsula/Palo Alto CA Branch
WILPF’s Palo Alto/Peninsula branch tabled at the Democracy Fair in Palo Alto on Oct. 18, staffed by members Judy Adams, Cherrill Spencer, Becky Fischbach, and Liz Lee. We shared the message that people have the power to make peace.
Our table displayed WILPF brochures, samples of “Peace is/Peace is Not” fliers, and information about the TPNW. The information was also accessible using QR codes posted adjacent to the print materials. An estimated six thousand attended the No Kings protest, including local congressman Sam Liccardo, who addressed the crowd from the stage. The afternoon allowed for thoughtful conversations with folks (we estimate 60 or so) who stopped by the table, some in family groups, many of whom were unfamiliar with WILPF and its longevity as an international organization devoted to peace and justice.
We invited them to write a message about what peace means to them, using paper and markers that we provided, to add to the table display. The prompt “What is your peace?” yielded thoughtful statements from young and old alike:
“Peace is being yourself with no hate.”
“Peace = Everybody is Safe and Loved”
“Peace: freedom to speak without fear.”
“Peace is the rest that we feel in a state of Justice.”
“Peace will be possible when all the world’s people are fed, housed, and heard.”
One participant offered that tending a garden and sharing its bounty is her primary source of peace.
We invited visitors to join our weekly silent vigils held on a busy street corner near the fair every Friday.
WILPFers Join Thousands in Des Moines to Say “No Kings”
Jan Corderman
WILPF Des Moines IA Branch
Thousands, including members of WILPF’s Des Moines branch, gathered at the Iowa Capitol as part of the “No Kings” national day of action on Oct. 18 as the government shutdown entered its third week. The second No Kings Day is the largest recorded anti-Trump protest since Trump won the presidency.
WILPF Des Moines celebrated in this seriously fun rally to address seriously pressing issues.
Eureka Says—and Sings—“No Kings!”
Sue Hilton
WILPF Humboldt CA Branch
A No Kings event took place in Humboldt County, CA, on Oct. 18. The event featured a sidewalk march to the county courthouse, moving against the flow of southbound traffic on Highway 101. A rally was held on both sides of the street in front of the courthouse along northbound Highway 101. Crowd estimates ranged from 2,500 to 3,500, making it one of the largest demonstrations in the area in quite some time.
One of our members recruited her husband to help carry a banner that we recently inherited from Jan Harwood of the Santa Cruz branch. They joined several WILPF members, along with non-WILPF-affiliated Raging Grannies, in a relatively uncrowded corner of the courthouse lawn. There, we sang songs about making good trouble and the “No Kings” theme for about an hour. One of the grannies had printed lyric sheets, and people were happy to sing along.
WILPF Members Excited to Connect with Community at Fresno, CA’s No Kings Event
Cam Fanning
WILPF Fresno CA Branch
On Saturday, Oct. 18, local WILPF members were among the thousands of Fresnans gathered at Manchester Center for the No Kings protest, part of a nationwide wave calling for an end to corporate and political control that puts profits over people. The crowd was lively, with colorful signs and chants filling the air. Members from a wide range of local organizations came together, making the event a hub for connection and collaboration. Many attendees had never joined a protest before… perhaps a sign of growing collective dissatisfaction with our current administration.
While the atmosphere was energetic and hopeful, some participants voiced curiosity about the movement’s focus and inclusivity. The “No Kings” message is powerful, but it’s not always clear how inclusive the movement is of other struggles or what long-term goals these protests aim to achieve beyond raising awareness. There’s real potential here if organizers can build broader coalitions and turn that energy into tangible action.
Still, the day’s most meaningful outcome may have been the networking itself: folks exchanged contacts, shared upcoming events, and discussed ways to support one another’s causes. Whether or not No Kings ultimately becomes a unifying force for broader social action, Saturday’s gathering showed that Fresno’s movement community is ready to show up, and Fresno WILPF is proud to be part of such a vibrant, resilient network during this tumultuous time in our nation.
WILPFers Unite Across Distance to Say “No Kings—We Want Peace!”
Across the US, WILPF members joined thousands to say “No Kings!” on Oct. 18. They brought messages of peace and justice to events in their respective cities. Take a look at photos from more No Kings protests below!
