A large, nonviolent protest is planned in downtown Oakland on Saturday, October 18, as part of the national No Kings day of action organized by Indivisible and partner groups. As the date approaches, we’ve been given more details.
Organizers say thousands are expected to gather, with a schedule that includes a short march and a rally at Lake Merritt. The protest coincides with similar events around the country.
What to expect in Oakland
According to organizers, participants will meet at Wilma Chan Park at 12:00 pm, then begin a march at 12:30 pm to the Lake Merritt Amphitheater.
A rally is scheduled to start at 1:15 pm.
Planned speakers include Rep. Lateefah Simon and Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, along with community, labor, and faith leaders. The event is billed as nonviolent, with an emphasis on de-escalation.
Locations and timing
- Start location: Wilma Chan Park, 810 Jackson St., Oakland, CA 94607. The park sits in Chinatown a short walk from Lake Merritt BART.
- March route: From Wilma Chan Park to the Lake Merritt Amphitheater. (Exact streets may vary on the day depending on police instructions.)
- Rally location: Lake Merritt Amphitheater along Lake Merritt Blvd between 12th St and 1st Ave.
- Schedule: 12:00 pm meet, 12:30 pm march, 1:15 pm rally (Saturday, Oct. 18).
Transportation tips
Organizers recommend public transit due to expected traffic. Lake Merritt BART Station is about a block from Wilma Chan Park and roughly a 10–12 minute walk to the amphitheater area, depending on your route. The station address is 800 Madison St., Oakland. AC Transit routes 18, 62, and 96 serve the station.
Who is organizing
Indivisible East Bay is listed as a local organizer, with support from partner and sponsoring organizations including labor, civil liberties, immigrant advocacy, and community groups. Nationally, Indivisible is coordinating No Kings events across thousands of locations.
Speakers and groups (as provided by organizers)
- Planned speakers: Dr. Stewart Chen; Teresa Salazar (Trabajadores Unidos Workers United); Derrick Boutte (SEIU); Rep. Lateefah Simon; Mayor Barbara Lee. Rep. Simon is currently serving in the U.S. House, and Barbara Lee currently serves as mayor of Oakland.
- Partner organizations include: ACCE, Bay Resistance, Indivisible East Bay, Oil & Gas Action Network, SEIU 1021.
- Sponsoring organizations include: ACLU of Alameda, Alameda County Democrats, Alameda Labor Council, CAIR California, East Bay DSA, Faith in Action East Bay, Food & Water Watch, IFPTE Local 21, Oakland Education Association, SEIU-UHW, SEIU-USWW, SURJ Bay Area, Working Families Party California, and others.
Attendance and national context
Organizers anticipate a large turnout in Oakland and note that similar protests are planned nationwide on October 18. National coverage and organizer statements indicate thousands of events are slated across the U.S., following a first day of action in June.
Safety and guidelines
Organizers state that the event is nonviolent and that participants are asked to help de-escalate any tensions that may arise. Similar national guidance emphasizes peaceful demonstration.
Notes
Details above reflect information provided by organizers, along with public location and transit references. Event plans can change day-of based on safety or logistics; check organizer channels before heading out.
