Kern County residents protest ongoing Iran war

Bakersfield demonstrators call for new U.S. leadership, Trump's impeachment

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:52am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a group of people standing silently in front of a government building, the scene bathed in warm, dramatic lighting that casts long shadows across the scene, conceptually representing the somber mood and civic engagement of the protest.A silent demonstration against the ongoing Iran war exposes the public's growing frustration with the current administration's foreign policy.Bakersfield Today

Residents of Bakersfield, California in Kern County staged a silent protest against the ongoing war in Iran, calling for the impeachment of President Trump and new leadership in the U.S. The protesters said they don't support the actions in the Middle East and want Congress to speak out against the conflict.

Why it matters

The protest highlights growing public opposition to the U.S. involvement in the Iran war, which has been ongoing for over five weeks with no clear resolution in sight. The demonstrators are concerned about the current administration's handling of foreign policy and are demanding accountability from Congress.

The details

The protesters gathered in front of the Kern County courthouse in downtown Bakersfield, choosing to silently demonstrate rather than chant or carry loud signs. Organizer Audrey Chavez said the goal was to have their presence felt and show that 'this is not normal' behavior from the U.S. government. Protester Yvette Benton said she has made close to 100 signs for previous demonstrations against President Trump's actions.

  • The protest took place on Tuesday, April 9, 2026.
  • The Iran war has been ongoing for more than five weeks.

The players

Yvette Benton

A Kern County resident who has protested against President Trump's actions in the past and made numerous signs for demonstrations.

Audrey Chavez

The organizer of the silent protest in Bakersfield against the ongoing Iran war.

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What they’re saying

“This is more just to be seen. To feel the presence that we're not happy. And we've had enough.”

— Yvette Benton

“We need Trump out of office. He needs to be impeached, and he needs to be removed.”

— Yvette Benton

“We have to stop our business. We have to stop our everydayness. This is not normal. We do not want to normalize this type of behavior. This type of talk. These types of actions – Ultimatums. We want other countries to understand that this is not our nation speaking.”

— Audrey Chavez, Protest Organizer

“We're wondering where the hell Congress is. We are wondering why they are choosing not to say things, or (why) they're being so careful about what they say rather than speaking out against this war.”

— Audrey Chavez, Protest Organizer

“We have never as a country been through so much as we have with this particular presidency. And we are very, very concerned.”

— Audrey Chavez, Protest Organizer

What’s next

Protesters say they will continue to voice their opposition to the ongoing Iran war and call for President Trump's impeachment and removal from office. They also want Congress to take a stronger stance against the administration's actions.

The takeaway

This silent protest in Bakersfield reflects the growing public unease with the U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict and the perceived failures of the current presidential administration. The demonstrators are demanding accountability from both the White House and Congress to end the war and provide new leadership.