Pasadena Braces For Anti-Trump Protest As National ‘No Kings Day’ Movement Mobilizes Locally

A large number of protesters are expected to gather in Pasadena Saturday afternoon as part of a nationwide “No Kings Day” demonstration opposing President Donald Trump’s policies and coinciding with his 79th birthday.

The “No Kings” events are billed as a peaceful way to oppose the administration’s “authoritarianism and show the world what democracy really looks like,” say organizers at 50501, a national group that stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one movement.

The confirmed Pasadena protest is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, according to organizers. A separate demonstration in neighboring South Pasadena is reportedly planned from 10 a.m. to noon at Mission Street and Fair Oaks Avenue.

“The organizers have promoted this as a peaceful protest. Police will be monitoring and anyone who sees something suspicious is encouraged to call 626-744-4241 or 911 if imminent danger,” Pasadena city spokesperson Lisa Derderian said early Saturday. “We respect the right to free speech and demonstrations in a safe and lawful manner.”

Derderian also reminded “those who will be out in the high heat today to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, hats and light weight clothing and look out for those who may experience heat related illness while standing outside.”

As of Monday, organizers reported that over 750 people had registered for the Pasadena protest, though they noted that at their last scheduled protest, 1,000 people registered but approximately 4,000 people actually came.

The local demonstrations are part of protests scheduled in cities and towns across the United States on June 14, Flag Day. The timing coincides with Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.

Protest organizers are encouraging participants to bring American flags as symbols of democratic pride.

“The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings,” organizers explained on the No Kings website.

The demonstrations are organized by a coalition of advocacy groups including Indivisible, the American Federation of Teachers, the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Citizen, MoveOn, Stand Up America, the Human Rights Campaign and the 50501 movement.

Ezra Levin, co-executive director of progressive organizing group Indivisible, described the protests as potentially “the largest single-day, peaceful protest in recent American history, made up of millions of normal, everyday Americans who are showing up in more than 2,000 communities around the country to say, ‘we don’t do kings in America.'”

Organizers expect millions to participate nationwide, with some reports suggesting Los Angeles alone could see as many as 250,000 attendees. Participation nationwide is predicted to exceed April’s “Hands Off” demonstrations, which reportedly saw over 3 million individuals rally against the Trump administration.

The City of Pasadena issued a statement Wednesday outlining its approach to the planned gatherings.

“We are aware of planned gatherings here in Pasadena in the coming days,” the city said. “We want to assure you that the city respects everyone’s First Amendment right to peaceful protest. However, anyone taking advantage of these situations to commit crimes in our City will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Police Department will be monitoring these gatherings solely for the purpose of ensuring public safety and the protection of property.”

Separately, the Pasadena City Council released a joint statement Thursday evening stating they will not allow Pasadena to be under siege by the Federal administration. The statement was signed by Mayor Victor Gordo, Vice Mayor Jess Rivas and five other Councilmembers, but not by Councilmember Gene Masuda.

The Mission Street and Fair Oaks Avenue intersection in South Pasadena has previously hosted demonstrations, including a 2017 immigration-related protest organized by Progressive Folks of South Pasadena.

The Army estimates Trump’s military parade and festivities will cost taxpayers between $25 million and $45 million, according to NBC Washington. Trump responded to cost concerns during a roundtable meeting with CEOs, saying, “A lot of that money is being paid for by me and people that make donations. A lot of it won’t even come out of the military. We have people putting up money to do it. It is a great expenditure.”

The 50501 movement, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement,” was founded in January 2025 as a grassroots organization to protest Trump administration policies and is among the groups participating in Saturday’s demonstrations.