Polarizing political demonstrations hit San Diego simultaneously
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Tens of thousands of peaceful protesters marched through the streets of San Diego for "No Kings" rallies as part of a nationwide movement on Saturday.
The big picture: This latest round of protests against President Trump and his administration comes as the government shutdown approaches its third week and opposition to Trump's military deployment plans to Democratic-led cities grows.
- Saturday's turnout of nearly 7 million nationally was "one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history," per a statement from protest organizers.
- Republican leaders dismissed and condemned the rallies, while Trump shared a seemingly AI-generated video of him dumping brown sludge on protesters while wearing a crown and flying a jet labeled "KING TRUMP."
Zoom in: San Diego police estimated more than 25,000 people attended the "No Kings" protest downtown, while local organizations said more than 80,000 people showed up to events across San Diego County.
- Some protesters waved upside-down American flags, wore inflatable animal costumes (as seen in Portland recently) and held "YES on 50" signs (referencing California's upcoming redistricting special election).
The intrigue: About 35 protesters gathered outside the main gate at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, where Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and thousands of service members watched a live-fire military demonstration to celebrate the Marines' and Navy's 250th birthdays, the Union-Tribune reported.
- Explosions from the "Sea To Shore" amphibious assault demonstration shook the beach, and artillery shells were fired over Interstate 5, which halted train service and shut down a 17-mile stretch of the freeway for hours on Saturday.
- At one point, metal shrapnel from explosive ordnance fired over the highway "detonated overhead prematurely, striking and damaging a CHP patrol vehicle," according to the California Highway Patrol.
- The White House filmed the event for a primetime television special set to air Nov. 9, per the U-T.
