On Oct. 18, as a part of the nationwide “No Kings 2” protests, there was a demonstration held in front of San Joaquin Delta College on the intersection of Pacific and Yokuts avenues
This is the second No Kings protest held at Delta College, after another large demonstration in June.
The event brought together many local groups including SJC4DEI, Indivisible Stockton, Food not bombs and Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA).
The prevailing mood was one of frustration as protesters lined Pacific Avenue with signs criticizing the current president, his cabinet, and many policy decisions.
“I came out today because I want to stand in solidarity with Stockton voters in San Joaquin county to wake up to the facism takeover that we’re having within our federal powers,” said Alyssa Leiva, who works with local youth-led social justice advocacy group, Stockton Stands.
Barbara St. Urbain, who runs the San Joaquin Coalition for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (SJC4DEI), also attended the event.
“I wake up every day more dismayed about what’s happening to our constitution, to our democracy, to the idea of ‘We the people,’” said St. Urbain
St. Urbain, who also served as co-chair of the event, spoke about the amount of people at the event.
“What I’m hearing from everybody is that it’s even bigger than June 14 and we had about 2,500 people then. So I’m estimating 3,000, maybe 3,500,” said St. Urbain, who also noted the diversity among the people attending. “All the different groups that we want represented, they’re here.”
Delta Faculty also showed up
“I think that the average person is either not paying attention entirely or they have one foot in one foot out,” said Dr. Alberto “Beto” Gutierrez, who teaches ethnic studies at Delta. “I think it’s important for them… to see that there is a significant percentage of society who is paying attention that is discontented “
Guiterrez, a Los Angeles native, also stressed the importance of attending a local protest.
“Rather than driving to the Bay and being a part of a bigger protest, I’d rather come here and add one more number,” said Gutierrez. “I think it’s important because it shows that there is a shift in local ideology. It’s important for people to understand that this entire Central Valley isn’t red.”
“I think it’s great that Delta College is not like some places that are afraid and that would shoo people away” said Shelly Swanson, Delta trustee for Area 1, who attended the event.“They want to support the causes that do help their students”
Some of those present there was a hope that community involvement wouldn’t stop at just the protest.
“This is more to build morale and let everyone know that there are other people out there that are with them in resistance,” said Riley Schlaier, who attended the event as a member of Food Not Bombs, which provided food for protesters.
Schlaier argued that while keeping morale up was good, it was unlikely to create change.
“One of the critiques that we have of protests in general is that it’s more of a rally than a protest,” said Schlaier, suggesting that time should also be spent volunteering. “Personally, what I recommend and what the org in general recommends, is that people find local leftist organizations and contribute their time.”
On the national stage, nearly 2,700 “No Kings 2” protests took place with more than 7 million participants, according to the No Kings website.
