A national day of protest will come to Santa Monica this weekend, as local organizers plan a “No Kings” rally along the city’s iconic coastline.
The event, organized through Indivisible, is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ocean Avenue and Montana Avenue in Palisades Park.
The Santa Monica gathering is one of dozens planned across Southern California as part of a broader national mobilization. The “No Kings” protests, which began last year, are aimed at opposing what organizers describe as rising authoritarianism in national politics.
In Santa Monica, organizers are encouraging participants to gather along the bluff in Palisades Park, a location frequently used for demonstrations due to its visibility and proximity to major corridors.
City Preparing for Demonstration
In advance of the rally, the City of Santa Monica issued a public advisory saying it is “closely monitoring” the planned protest and emphasizing both the right to demonstrate and the need for public safety.
City officials reiterated that peaceful protest is protected under the First Amendment, but warned that criminal activity will not be tolerated and could result in arrest and prosecution.
The advisory also outlines a list of prohibited items at the event, including weapons, glass bottles, and certain types of equipment such as laser pointers and aerosol sprays.
Participants are encouraged to follow organizers’ guidelines, remain in designated areas, and sign up for emergency alerts from the city.
Part of a Broader Movement
The Santa Monica rally is part of a coordinated series of demonstrations expected to take place across the region the same day, including events in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Long Beach, and elsewhere.
Previous “No Kings” protests have drawn large crowds nationwide, reflecting growing political mobilization around federal policy and governance issues.
What to Expect
While the Santa Monica event is expected to be peaceful, the combination of a high-profile location and regional participation could draw significant turnout.
For residents and visitors, that may mean increased activity along Ocean Avenue and surrounding areas during the late morning and early afternoon hours.
As with past demonstrations in Santa Monica, the city’s approach is likely to balance facilitating free speech with maintaining public safety — a dynamic that has become increasingly familiar as protests continue to shape civic life across Southern California.
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