Santa Ana, CA — On Saturday, October 18th, an estimated 10,000 residents from across Orange County are expected to gather at Centennial Park in Santa Ana for the “No Kings” protest, an event organized by Indivisible CA45 and the OC Indivisible Coalition. The gathering aims to promote civic engagement, community solidarity, and support for individuals affected by recent federal actions.
Organizers say the event will feature live music from local DJs and musicians, speeches from grassroots leaders, free sign-making stations, and a community fair with nonprofit booths and resources. The protest is designed to be peaceful and family-friendly, with a focus on education, empowerment, and advocacy.
The demonstration comes in response to concerns about federal agency conduct, immigration enforcement, and employment actions affecting civil servants. Organizers cite recent ICE activity and staffing changes within federal departments as motivating factors for the event.
“We want to bring people together to learn from one another and stand up for the values that make our communities strong,” said a spokesperson for Indivisible CA45. “This is about protecting freedoms, supporting vulnerable populations, and ensuring that taxpayer-funded agencies serve the public fairly.”
Participants are encouraged to arrive early and bring signs, water, and comfortable walking shoes. The event will run from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Centennial Park, located at 3000 W. Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana.
For more information, residents can follow updates from OC Indivisible Coalition and related community groups on social media.
You may register for this event here.
Who is behind the No Kings Protests?
The “No Kings” protests in the U.S. are primarily funded through grassroots donations, but some reports claim support from progressive organizations and wealthy donors.
Here’s a breakdown of the funding landscape based on recent investigations and public statements:
Grassroots and Decentralized Support
- Organizers like Voices of Florida and 50501 emphasize that the movement is built by local communities, with no central leadership or major financial backers.
- According to Hunter Dunn, a national press coordinator, the protests operate on minimal funding, with most contributions being small and unitemized.
- Many local events are organized by volunteers using free platforms and social media.
Claims of Institutional Backing
- A Fox News investigation alleges that 198 Democratic-aligned organizations with a combined budget of $2.1 billion are involved in supporting the protests.
- Groups like the American Federation of Teachers, ACLU, and Human Rights Campaign have publicly participated in or endorsed the events.
- A fact-check by Factually.co confirms that George Soros’ Open Society Foundation previously gave $8 million to Indivisible, one of the organizing groups, though not necessarily for these specific protests.
- Christy Walton, Walmart heiress, reportedly funded full-page ads promoting the protests in major newspapers.
Allegations of Public Funding
- Conservative analysts like “DataRepublican” claim that federal grants have indirectly supported nonprofits involved in the protests.
- These claims suggest that taxpayer money may have flowed through government-funded NGOs that later sponsored protest-related activities.
Political Controversy
- Republican leaders have labeled the protests as “anti-American” and accused organizers of coordinating with political operatives, though no direct evidence has been presented to support these claims.
- Organizers maintain that the movement is peaceful, lawful, and pro-democracy, aimed at resisting authoritarianism and defending civil liberties
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