Open thread: NO KINGS OC Rally draws over 5000 to Sasscer Park

pics (so far) from Rebecca Kovacs-Stein

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2025, 4:00 PM PST
Rep. Dave Min (D, CA-47) Joins Non-Profits & 5,000 Patriots to Defend Our Institutions, the Vulnerable, and the Rule of Law

Santa Ana, CA – A crowd of more than 5,000 peaceful but determined Americans descended on Santa Ana’s Sasscer Park beginning at at noon and growing until the rally’s end at 3:00 PM. In the shadow of Orange County’s largest federal building, they picketed, marched and demanded a return to the rule of law, decency and the customs and institutions on which our great nation was built. While President Donald Trump was the most obvious target of their ire, the protestors understood that Trump’s power was built on the compliance of the Republican House majority and an American large swath of the American population that has been either complicit or complacent . . . until now!

The event brought together patriotic citizens from all over Orange County, people who represented every race, culture, creed, gender and sexual orientation. Democrats were a significant part of the population and four elected Democratic elected officials–

• Rep. Dave Min (CA-47),
• Santa Ana Councilmembers Johnathan Ryan Hernandez (Ward 5)
• and Jessie Lopez (Ward 3),
• and Tustin USD Trustee Allyson Damikolas–

– spoke at the rally but both the crowd and the speakers included people of all political positions that support democracy in the face of what they say as Trump-Musk-Republican kleptocracy.

The diverse crowd was united behind a single idea, that the great harm they are suffering is rooted in illegality. Rep. Dave Min, the newly elected member of Congress from California’s 47 district, a former UCI law professor, is a strong voice for democracy who serves on the House Rules Committee. He captured the spirit of the crowd as he reminded them that they suffer not because they lost an election but because those that won it with a slim popular majority have refused to follow the law but rule by cruel fiat.

“I am proud to be joining my friends and neighbors in telling Donald Trump and his minions to keep his Hands Off… our democracy, our Constitution, and lifeline programs like Social Security and Medicaid.” -Rep. Dave Min (D, CA-47)

Rally goers filled the small park and around the sidewalks surrounding federal, county and municipal buildings frequently erupting into powerful shouts of “None of this is Legal”. Event organizer Stephanie Wade said:

“Many of us have been sleeping through this dark chapter in our history. But we are awake now and we will be heard. We will wake our fellow citizens and take back our our country!” –Stephanie Wade, Chair Lavender Democrats

The invocation was given by Pastor Beth Chairavalle of First Christian Church of Orange, who noted that “though I am a Christian, I recognize that we are a movement of every faith and creed, all of whom are equal in the eyes of creation.” She was followed by event coordinator and Indivisible OC Lead Organizer Amy Stevens, who offered her own prayer before leading the crowd of thousands in a sing-a-long of the National Anthem.

The anger of veterans was seen in signs “NO CUTS VA: Freedom Isn’t Free” and “Prez Bone Spurs Can’t Have My VA”. Combat veteran Colonel Allan Dollison, USARet, decried plans to end the PACT Act that provides for veterans who suffered agent orange, burn pit and other toxic exposures, as well as the recent layoffs that already amount to 17% of the entire VA workforce. Then crowd roared as he reminded them that:

“Veterans answered their country’s call in its time of need. We expect nothing more and nothing less than our country delivering the benefits we were promised.”
–Colonel Allan Dollison, USARet

“This is not just a political issue—it’s about the survival of our democracy,” said the Organizing Committee Co-Chair and Activate America representative Andre Charles. “We will not allow one person to act like a king and override the will of the people. We will not stand by while essential public services are stripped away or sabotaged. It is time for us to act and demand that our government work for us, not against us.”

Other Speakers addressed some of the most pressing illegal and deleterious actions of the Trump presidency:
● Public Education: Santa Ana USD Teacher of the Year Noelle Carney Campbell related how she was one of 400 teachers in her district laid off due to budget shortfalls. Tustin USD Trustee Allyson Damikolas (Area 4) reminded listeners that private education is an engine of discrimination, in contrast to public schools which are the most democratic institutions in our society. (Orange County Register).
● Healthcare Access: (Healthcare Dive, California Healthcare Foundation, and Library of Congress) Sadaf Rahmani, Public Information Director Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties.
● Labor Rights & Economic Justice: Mark Parades, AFSCME UDW Local 3930 Orange County, and Kenny Williams. President OC Labor Federation.
● Deportations Without Due Process: Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento & the writer and activist Sandra DeAnda (Guardian).
● Court Orders Ignored: (AFGE).
● Federal Workforce Cuts: (Newsweek, Reuters).
Co-Lead for the newly formed 50501 OC and a supporting member of the event organizing committee Julie Tap reported that her trained team of 50501 volunteers conducted density analysis of aerial and street level photos and determined that crowd size was between 5,000 and 6,000.