Mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and strangers gathered Saturday in Santa Maria where a holiday weekend didn’t deter the newest “No Kings” protest. 

Approximately 200 people gathered at the corners of Main Street and Broadway (highways 166 and 135) with signs and chants targeting President Donald Trump’s administration. Easter Sunday marks the third month since his inauguration.

The “No Kings: We’re Not Going Back!” rally was one of hundreds held across the nation to stand up for justice, democracy and the U.S. Constitution.

Santa Maria Valley resident Kristen LaGrange and her daughter, Alora LaGrange, carried signs saying “No more kings” and “Down with tyrants.”

“This is really a way to teach her how to use her voice in a safe, appropriate and respectful way,” Kristen LaGrange said of her 16-year-old daughter. 

“I am terrified for our future if this continues the way it’s going,” she added. 

They weren’t the only multi-generation protesters. 

Mackenzie Greeley of Santa Maria learned about the action from her activist mother. 

“We protest together as a family,” Greeley said. 

Signs covered a variety of sentiments including criticizing Tesla and SpaceX leader Elon Musk for his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) actions plus advocating for the protection of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

At times the chants included “Trump and Musk have got to go” and “Hate does not make America great.”

One protester donned a tricorn hat to mark the protest occurring near the anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride hundreds of years ago while another man wore a Batman mask. Others donned T-shirts displaying their activism or patriotic red, white and blue attire.

The constant sound of honking horns from passing motorists at the busy intersection bolstered the activists. 

Occasionally, drivers stopped for a red light engaged in debate with protesters.

Saturday’s event followed another one held April 5 reportedly attracting 400 protesters in Santa Maria and thousands in Santa Barbara where they gathered on the beach to form the message saying “Hands Off.”

Participants included Rebecca Barker and Jeannette Couture, Santa Maria Valley residents.

“It brought us a lot of hope,” Barker said. 

Along with participating in the April 5 protest in Santa Barbara, they also attended the one Saturday in Santa Maria. 

“I would like to see that our country remains a democracy. I’m very worried,” Couture added.

Local chapters of Indivisible, an activist group fighting what they call anti-democracy actions taken by the federal government since Trump took office, participated.

“A lot of people are very angry and fearful that rights are being taken away,” said Indivisible Santa Maria’s Pam Gates, who organized the action with Danny Mogg. 

“We’re hoping that a good show will help nationally and also locally that we are here and we have a voice and we are participating in democracy,” Gates added.

Along with Indivisible, other fledgling groups spurring protests across the nation include 50501, calling for 50 protests, 50 states, one movement and aimed at upholding the U.S. Constitution plus ending executive overreach.

Another Tesla Takedown protest was planned at the dealership on Hitchcock Way on Saturday morning. 

And the weekend’s National Day of Action also saw three community organizing roundtable gatherings Saturday afternoon in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Isla Vista, according to IndivisibleSB.

Click through the slideshow below to see more photos from Saturday’s protest.