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East County MagazineMarch 27, 2026 (San Diego County) -- On the eve of what many are calling the largest civil mobilization in American history, in "No Kings" protests, the official stance from regional law enforcement has been clear and public-facing.
Mid-week, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office released the following statement on their website to set the tone for the weekend:
"The San Diego County Sheriff's Office is aware of several planned protests throughout our jurisdiction areas scheduled for Saturday, March 28. On behalf of Sheriff Kelly Martinez and the Sheriff’s Office, we thank everyone who plans to participate to peacefully express their First Amendment rights.
We support the public's right to free speech and assembly. We encourage the peaceful gathering of people. We respect your right to be heard.
A reminder: the Sheriff's Office does not condone any acts of violence or intolerance in our communities. Our job is to enforce the law. As long as people express themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner, we do not have any lawful authority to intervene."
The "No Kings" movement is a nationwide pulse. What began in June 2025 as a reaction to a controversial military parade has evolved into a massive coalition of more than 200 organizations -- including Indivisible and the ACLU.
The protest primarily seeks to show opposition to what organizers describe as authoritarian actions and "regime brutality" by President Donald Trump and his administration.
The City of La Mesa added its own specific guidance for the local "Bill of Rights Festival" planned at the intersection of University Avenue and La Mesa Boulevard:
"Tomorrow is the third national No Kings protest this year, with many events occurring throughout the county, including one scheduled in La Mesa from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The La Mesa Police Department supports the community’s right to free speech and peaceful protest. We have been in contact with event organizers and will have resources in place to support a safe environment for all.
Please be advised that the event is described as a march that may impact traffic in and around the downtown La Mesa area. Updates will be provided throughout the day through the Nixle alert system."
Nationwide, more than 3,000 events are planned for Saturday, including about two dozen official marches in San Diego County. Protests are planned for Borrego Springs, El Cajon, La Mesa, Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Fallbrook, Rancho Bernardo, Ramona and more.
See our previous coverage from earlier this week here.
Comments
Keep it civil folks...