The third No Kings demonstration was held nationwide on Saturday, March 28, in over 3,000 communities. One of those communities was Healdsburg, which also participated in the two 2025 national demonstrations, on June 14 (in 2,100 locations, said to have drawn 5 million nationally) and on Oct. 18 (7 million, in 2,700 locations).
SERVICE MOM Nancy Palumbo, a long-time local Rotarian and mother of a recent Coast Guard retiree, lets her opinions out at the No Kings rally in Healdsburg on March 28, 2026.
Organizers had hoped to draw 10 million participants on March 21, but it looks like the final total of up to 8-9 million fell short. In Healdsburg, as nationally, each rally drew a few more people, but the setting of the demonstration—along the length of Healdsburg Avenue from the Roundabout south, on both sides of the street, and spilling over on the Mill Street and Healdsburg Avenue legs as well—made a head count difficult. Other demonstrations in Sonoma County on March 28 took place in Cloverdale, Windsor, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Cotati, Petaluma and Sebastopol.
Most observers believed a couple of thousand people showed up, most of them recognizable as locals. More important than any numbers, however, is why those people chose to stand on the street, holding signs, chanting and singing.
As in previous No Kings demonstrations, the people lining the streets showed exuberant though not boisterous behavior, sticking to the messages displayed on their varied, handmade signs. “No Brain, No Heart, No Courage,” read one, comparing Trump to the Wizard of Oz characters; “Remember Only You can Prevent Fascism” said another, in a Smoky the Bear take-off; while yet another proclaimed: “I-Ran Away from the Epstein Files.”
Sarah Bradbury of Indivisible Healdsburg said that the sponsoring organizations, which included Climate Action Healdsburg and Enso Engaged, “helped send a message to the current administration and Congressional leaders that “the power of the people is stronger than the people in power.”
She estimated the attendance at 1,800 people, “not only local families and neighbors but also several out-of-town visitors with signs and wide smiles.”
Why are you here?
What people write on a sign represents one aspect of their argument; the other is their spoken world. When asked at the scene why the demonstrators were there, answers varied. One man dressed as a 1776 Patriot said simply, “Trying to save our country”—and he meant it.
NO SECRETS Of the multiple issues raised by protesters, the Epstein Files are a constant theme, their content and their poisonous influence on politics.
“I’m thinking about the immigrants,” said another. “And the nasty way they’re being treated, since this whole country is based on immigrants. And by the way, didn’t Trump marry an immigrant?” (Fact check: two of Trump’s three wives were immigrants.)
The comments continued. “Protesting Trump. He’s immoral, a liar, all of the above—and racist, very racist.”
“The rally is not one great issue—just overall disgust with the Trump administration.”
“My daily outrage of our country, of the country, of our world, of the person who is bringing shame to our country. The graft, the cheating—I mean what isn’t there?”
Said a former council member, Brigette Mansell: “I’m here because I care about my community. I’m not going anywhere. I’m working hard because we’re very lucky to live here and we need to show up for the people who don’t feel so fortunate right now.”
Ron Edwards, serving as vice mayor this term, said, “It’s about getting people involved, and knowing that their community supports them. Mainly it’s setting the table for November, to keep the momentum going and a reminder of why voting is important. It’s the public’s right to come out and speak.”
Another council member and former mayor, Evelyn Mitchell, also attended the protest. “I was encouraged to see so many Healdsburg residents turn out,” she said. “I believe this speaks volumes about how deeply our community cares and how willing people are to show up for one another.”
Mayor Chris Herrod showed up as well, blowing a conch shell to add to the lively atmosphere. His comment: “As Mayor, I represent the views of the Council, who for the most part, do not take stances on national issues.
“So, instead I was there as an American citizen, along with millions of patriotic folks who showed up last Saturday to voice dissent against the administration’s reckless and illegal disregard for the Constitution and for the truth.”
More about Healdsburg’s reaction to the No Kings march can be found at facebook.com/healdsburgtribune.
