When the streets of San Francisco transform into a political playground, you know something epic is brewing. On October 18, 2025, the city erupted in a massive “No Kings” protest that was part political statement, part performance art, and entirely a middle finger to authoritarianism.

The crowd was a vibrant tapestry of resistance, with tens of thousands marching down Market Street sporting signs that ranged from profoundly political to hilariously savage. From “Vaccines Save Lives” to a South Park-inspired “Trump Is F, ing Satan,” the creativity was as potent as the message.

A Star-Studded Rebellion

This wasn’t your grandpa’s protest. Folk icon Joan Baez and legendary activist Angela Davis took the stage, turning the Civic Center into a powerhouse of political energy. Union members, youth in tie-dye, and even dogs in strollers joined the carnival of dissent.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Organizers reported between 101,000 and 144,000 people in San Francisco alone, with national estimates suggesting nearly 5 million protesters across the country. This wasn’t just a protest; it was a movement.

The backdrop? President Trump’s threat to deploy federal troops, met with a collective eye-roll from California’s leadership. Mayor Daniel Lurie and Attorney General Rob Bonta made it clear: not today, autocracy.

With clown outfits, drum circles, and irreverent signage, San Francisco proved once again that resistance can be both profound and playful. Democracy might be serious business, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun while saving it.