Roseville takes part in 'No Kings' national protest

Thousands of demonstrators packed sidewalks in Roseville and a much smaller group in Folsom to participate in the nationwide protest event known as "No Kings," with a mantra of rejecting authoritarianism. The event coincided with a military parade in Washington to mark the Army's 250th anniversary, and coincidentally, President Donald Trump's birthday. Organizers said the peaceful demonstrations are in response to Trump's policies and federal immigration raids which sparked protests in Los Angeles last week, causing Trump to deploy the National Guard. On the group's website, organizers said the nationwide protest is a movement declaring there are no kings in the United States. "No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism and show the world what democracy really looks like." In Roseville, thousands of demonstrators lined the sidewalks near Galleria and E. Roseville Parkway, with signs and American flags. One Roseville resident said there were a wide range of people taking part, from high school kids to senior citizens in wheelchairs. Despite the large numbers, the event remained peaceful, with no police reports of civil unrest or crime committed. In Folsom, the demonstration was smaller and took place near E. Bidwell and Iron Point Road near and on the overpass near Highway 50. The event there also remained peaceful and without incident. Organizers of No Kings said they expected peaceful demonstrations to be staged in 2,000 locations throughout the country. In addition to Folsom and Roseville, rallies were scheduled in these other Northern California cities: State Capitol in Sacramento, Woodland, Davis, Rio Vista, Tracy, Stockton, Modesto, Sonora, Angels Camp, Murphys, Auburn, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, Placerville, Grass Valley, Truckee and South Lake Tahoe.