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Thousands Rally in Pasadena Against Trump Immigration Policies

More than 4,000 demonstrators join nationwide 'No Kings Day' protests targeting anti-immigration crackdowns

BY EDDIE RIVERA | Photography by PAUL TAKIZAWA
Published on Sunday, June 15, 2025 | 6:44 am
 

[Updated]   More than 4,000 demonstrators filled streets in Pasadena on Saturday for “No Kings Day,” a spirited national protest against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and what protestors decried as Trump’s authoritarian overreach. The peaceful demonstration was part of coordinated protests in about 2,300 cities nationwide, with participants also criticizing a $25 million military parade held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.

The protest began at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, with marchers eventually filling multiple blocks in all directions

“To the rest of the country and the world, I say, ‘Join us. Let’s stand together in this pivotal moment in time, when we can defend the constitution and due process, and stand with one another as friends and neighbors; when we can understand and embrace one another’s contributions, not just here in Pasadena, but in California, and in every state in this country, and the country as a whole, and most importantly, in the world, but let’s do so peacefully and lawfully,” Mayor Victor Gordo told the crowd gathered at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.

The demonstration quickly swelled beyond initial estimates, with nearly all protesters initially staying on the sidewalks. Police closed traffic into the area when the crowd grew too large.

City spokesperson Lisa Derderian estimated the crowd at 3,000 people at 2:25 p.m., which grew to 4,000 an hour later. 

Police closed Colorado Boulevard at Hudson and Mentor Avenues, and Lake Avenue at Union and Green Streets at about 2:50 p.m. to accommodate the growing crowd. Within minutes of the street closures, protesters flooded into the streets.

State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez delivered a fiery speech addressing what she called constitutional violations in immigration enforcement. 

“I think it’s very clear that people’s constitutional rights are being violated,” Pérez said. “We’ve had numerous reports from throughout my district, including video evidence, of ICE agents pulling up in unmarked vehicles, with no name tags, wearing masks and taking people in broad daylight. This is incredibly dangerous. It has already led to vigilanteism, and is scaring and alarming people.”

Pérez recounted an episode in nearby Rosemead where ICE agents reportedly brandished weapons against a family, calling the situation “absolute lawlessness.”

At about 4:15 p.m. the demonstrators marched south on Lake Avenue to Cordova Street, turned west, then headed north along Los Robles Avenue, and began to disperse along Colorado Boulevard or head to City Hall.

Pasadena Police Commander Marcia Taglioretti reported that the “crowd is well behaved” with “no detentions or arrests.” There were two heat-related medical incidents.

Children clutched handmade signs while banners waved above the crowd. Chants of “No hate, no fear—immigrants are welcome here!” echoed between buildings as the demonstration maintained a peaceful but intense atmosphere.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve never seen Pasadena like this,” said teacher Sonia Morales, holding a sign that read ‘Immigrants Built This Country.’ “This is about human dignity. It’s about stopping the raids. It’s about saying we’re not afraid anymore.”

The energy intensified when Los Jornaleros del Norte, a Pasadena-Altadena-based band regarded as the soundtrack of the immigrant labor movement, performed a jubilant set of rancheras and Norteño protest songs from a trailer stage near Euclid Avenue. Marchers danced in the streets during the nearly hour-long performance.

Mayor Gordo, drawing from personal experience, emphasized the human impact of current immigration policies. 

“I lived in fear when I was a kid. I know what that feels like to feel like, to know that your parents may not come home and to know that you may be alone as a five-year-old kid,” he said. “No five-year-old kid. No one should live in fear in this country or anywhere in the world. There’s no room for fear in Pasadena. There’s no room for fear in California. There’s no room for living in fear anywhere in this country or in the world.”

The demonstration targeted the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have conducted raids that removed undocumented immigrants from homes, job sites, and courthouses without warning, creating widespread fear in Latino communities where many families now live in constant anxiety about separation and deportation.

Protesters also criticized the Trump-organized military parade in Washington, D.C., which numerous critics called both wasteful and symbolic of authoritarian ambitions. 

“This march is about rejecting the politics of cruelty,” said Maria, who declined to identify herself further. “We watched as workers were dragged from job sites, as children lost parents, and now we’re supposed to stand by while the man responsible returns with tanks and a parade? No.”

The Pasadena gathering remained notably peaceful compared to some national protests, particularly in Los Angeles where youthful protesters reportedly clashed with police and damaged vehicles. 

Police maintained a light presence in Pasadena, often chatting with organizers along the perimeter of the crowd.

Many protesters joined the city’s fourth annual Juneteenth celebration already in progress at City Hall, which was organized alongside the historic Pasadena National Association for the Advancement of Colored People branch and emphasized African American heritage and community unity.

“We may not have tanks,” one demonstrator said, watching teenagers paint slogans in chalk on the sidewalk, “but we have each other. And we’re not going anywhere.”

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