Across from the Paseo, No Kings Day, June 14, 2025 (Photo – Brian Biery)
An estimated 5,000 people gathered in Pasadena on Saturday, June 14, as part of the national No Kings Day mobilization. The protest began at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Colorado Boulevard and expanded into nearby streets, including South Mentor Avenue, Green Street, and as far west as the Paseo on Colorado Blvd. Pasadena police closed portions of Colorado Blvd. to vehicle traffic to accommodate the crowd.
By John Boucher
The atmosphere was festive. Drums, banners, and chants surged through the streets. Music filled the air and speeches by politicians echoed on the street, delivering messages of solidarity, resistance, and joy. Families, students, elders, workers, immigrants, and neighbors stood shoulder to shoulder in what many described as a moment of profound civic pride.
“I’m so proud of Pasadena,” said Susan, one of many participants moved by the scale and spirit of the gathering. Another voice rang out above the crowd: “Pasadena showed up big!”
People traveled from different parts of the city and surrounding areas. Joe and his family walked from Orange Heights in Pasadena to meet Beth, who drove in from Hastings Ranch. Tera and Matt came from Highland Park with 150 sign-making volunteers from Throop Church, where Tera serves as pastor. Glenn, who also marched earlier in Glendale, called Pasadena “the greatest city in the world.”
The event was one of many held across the country as part of No Kings Day. Organizers estimate that more than 5 million people took part in over 2,100 locations. Major demonstrations were held in cities such as New York and Philadelphia, while smaller events occurred in towns like Pentwater, Michigan.
The No Kings Coalition, which coordinated the events with local organizations, released a statement characterizing the day as a nationwide show of unity:
“Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don’t do kings. While T. and MAGA-aligned governors wasted public dollars on riot gear and fear tactics, the people brought hope, humor, and harmony.”
The Coalition emphasized that all events were nonviolent, community-led, and focused on safety and solidarity.
As the event came to a close on Colorado Blvd., the chants quieted, but the message participants aimed to convey remained: people across the nation are rising, not with violence, but with dignity, faith, and love, as one organizer from Monrovia said.
Lake and Colorado Blvd. No Kings Day, June 14, 2025 (Photo – Kathabela Wilson)
No Kings Day, June 14, 2025 (Photo – Amy Barach)
Los Robles and Colorado Blvd. (Photo – Chris Manxon)
“3 of a Kind” sign. No Kings Day, June 14, 2025 (Photo – Eloise Kay)
Crossing on red at Lake Ave and Colorado Blvd. (Photo – Brian Biery)
No Kings Day, June 14, 2025 (Photo – Brian Biery)
No Kings Day, June 14, 2025 (Photo – Petrea Burchard)
No Kings Day, June 14, 2025 (Photo – Amy Barach)
Lake Ave. and Colorado Blvd. (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
On Green Street. No Kings Day, June 14, 2025 (Photo – Kathabela Wilson)
(L-R) Pablo Alvarado, Executive Dir. of NDLON; CA Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo (Photos – Brian Bierry)
No KIngs Day in Pasadena (Photos – Chris Manxon)
On Colorado Blvd. (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
No Kings Day, June 14, 2024 (Photo – Brian Biery)
No Kings Day, June 14, 2025 (Photo – Eloise Kay)
Many attendees dined at local restaurants, including these guests at the AC Hotel in Pasadena (Photo – W.K.)
A reader visiting Gresham, Oregon, sent us this photo from their No Kings Day protest:
From Gresham, Oregon’s No Kings Day (Photo – Marina Khubersian)
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