Santa Monica is on deck for a No Kings rally at Palisades Park on Saturday, with organizers planning a democracy fair and information booths near the north end of the park. The site is expected to be active from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and city officials say they will protect First Amendment activity while cracking down on any criminal behavior. The gathering is part of a nationwide slate of demonstrations set for the weekend.
Event Details And Guest Organizations
According to the Santa Monica Daily Press, the rally will anchor at the corner of Montana Avenue and Ocean Avenue and spill into a democracy fair at the picnic tables north of the rose garden. Booths are slated from groups including the ACLU, Indivisible, Meals on Wheels, Stonewall Democrats, and Field Team 6. Ocean Avenue will be closed to vehicles beginning at 10 a.m. to support the event. Organizers are stressing a nonviolent approach and say volunteers have been trained in de-escalation techniques.
City Guidance And Safety Measures
The City of Santa Monica has urged calm, posted guidance on what people can and cannot bring to public assemblies, and encouraged residents to sign up for temporary alerts by texting SMVISIT to 888-777 or registering at santamonica.gov/alerts, as outlined by the City of Santa Monica. Officials are reminding people to call or text 911 if they see a crime in progress and to use the police non-emergency line at (310) 458-8491 for other issues. City staff says they will coordinate closely with organizers and bring in extra staffing as needed to keep the day peaceful.
Speakers And Program Notes
Organizers told the Santa Monica Daily Press that Steve Schmidt is scheduled to speak at the Palisades Park gathering. At the same time, the event’s registration and mobilization listing highlight DJs, peace marshals, and informational booths more than a formal speaking program, suggesting some details may differ by site. The event aggregator page also warns attendees not to bring large backpacks or tote bags and notes that peace marshals in yellow vests will be on hand to help de-escalate conflicts as part of the broader nonviolent plan. If plans shift, organizers say they will post updates on the registration page and organizer channels.
Regional Picture: Downtown Los Angeles Action
Downtown Los Angeles is set to host a much larger No Kings gathering at Gloria Molina Grand Park beginning around 2 p.m. Organizers with 50501 SoCal and partner groups say the DTLA event will feature music, speakers, and large visual elements and is expected to draw significant crowds. Previous downtown demonstrations have used Grand Park as the region’s central staging area and have included inflatable visuals and banners. Reporting in Forbes offers additional context for those larger Los Angeles gatherings.
How Locals Should Plan
Drivers should expect traffic delays and temporary closures on Ocean Avenue near Montana starting Saturday morning. If you live or work nearby, it may be wise to tweak your travel plans and give eventgoers space to arrive and leave safely. The event's registration page and aggregator also advise attendees to leave pets and large bags at home and to bring water and sun protection. For real-time updates, residents are encouraged to sign up for the city’s alerts and keep an eye on official channels while the city and organizers work together to keep the day low-key and peaceful.
