Protesters form massive human sign on Ocean Beach reading 'Trump must go now’ for No Kings Day

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Thousands of protesters packed Ocean Beach on Saturday morning, turning the shoreline into a human-made billboard aimed at President Donald Trump and his administration.

The crowd assembled into a massive formation roughly 300 feet wide and at least 600 feet long, spelling out “TRUMP MUST GO NOW!” in giant letters visible from above. Trailing the main slogan was a US flag, followed by a series of pointed phrases, “No ICE, No Wars, No Lies, No Kings.”

The demonstration was part of the “No Kings Day” protests, which drew thousands across the Bay Area as part of a day of action against Trump-era policies around immigration enforcement, U.S. military actions overseas, and what organizers described as threats to civil rights and democratic norms.

Organizers said more than 2,500 people RSVP’d for the Ocean Beach action alone, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

Banners against Trump

The Ocean Beach display was just the opening act.

San Francisco hosted one of the region’s largest coordinated protests of the day. Participants began gathering early near Embarcadero Plaza before the main march kicked off around noon. The route cut through Market Street, eventually culminating in a rally at Civic Center Plaza. A fair at nearby Fulton Plaza rounded out the day’s events.

The beach banners themselves have become a recurring visual protest since Trump returned to the office last year. The effort is spearheaded by travel writer Brad Newsham and architectural designer Travis Van Brasch.

Their past installations featured protest slogans such as “ABOLISH!” in February, targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement, “IT WAS MURDER/ICE OUT” in January, and “NO KINGS” alongside “YES ON 50” last October during the second No Kings Day, referencing a redistricting measure. 

Earlier efforts included “FAMILIA!” last July during Families First protests, “NO KING!” during the first No Kings Day in June, and “IMPEACH + REMOVE” last April.

Protests across the globe

The demonstrations weren’t limited to California. According to Associated Press, protests unfolded in more than a dozen countries, spanning Europe, Latin America, and Australia. In nations with constitutional monarchies, protesters dubbed their rallies “No Tyrants.”

In Paris, several hundred demonstrators gathered at the Bastille. “I protest all of Trump’s illegal, immoral, reckless, and feckless endless wars,” Paris organizer Ada Shen told the Associated Press.

Back in the US Senator Adam Schiff had a message for those taking part in the third No Kings Day. “Today is our day to reaffirm the spirit of our founders, and the American Revolution itself, that we are a republic, that we are a democracy, and that we are not, nor will we ever be, governed by a king,” Schiff said.

“I am so heartened today to see California cities and towns, and communities all across America, once again rallying to the spirit of our democracy, and standing shoulder to shoulder for the safety and future of that democracy,” he added.

Schiff also pointed out that the protests came one month after the Trump administration’s military action in Iran, an operation he said lacked both congressional consent and public approval. He cited the loss of service members, rising gasoline prices, and ongoing instability in the Middle East as consequences of the conflict.

“I stand with you and join you today in this patriotic act of dissent,” Schiff said.