San Marcos Community Hosts 'No Kings' Protest

About 400 residents gather at Hays County Courthouse to voice concerns about Trump administration policies.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:36pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting depicting a crowd of protesters with signs and banners, rendered in overlapping, geometric waves of bold red, white, and blue colors, conveying the passionate energy of the 'No Kings Day' demonstration.The vibrant, fractured energy of the 'No Kings Day' protest in San Marcos reflects the community's passionate resistance to the current administration's policies.San Marcos Today

Approximately 400 San Marcos community members gathered at the Hays County Historic Courthouse on March 28 to protest in honor of 'No Kings Day,' a nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration and its policies. The protest was co-hosted by MOVE Texas, a statewide non-profit focused on youth political engagement, and Step Up San Marcos, a local mobilization group advocating for democratic principles.

Why it matters

The 'No Kings Day' protest in San Marcos reflects growing grassroots opposition to the current presidential administration and its policies, particularly among younger generations. The diverse turnout, ranging from children to veterans, underscores the community's commitment to voicing concerns about issues like immigration, foreign policy, and democratic norms.

The details

Protesters carried signs, wore costumes, and chanted slogans like 'No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.' While the event was largely peaceful, with honking supporters and angry reactions from passersby, the organizers worked closely with authorities to ensure safety. The protest aimed to empower the community and direct anger towards the 'real enemy' - the current administration, rather than each other.

  • The protest took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Hays County Historic Courthouse.

The players

MOVE Texas

A statewide non-profit organization that focuses on building political power among youth, with roots at Texas State University.

Step Up San Marcos

A local mobilization group advocating for democratic principles threatened by the Trump administration.

Vanessa Treviño

The president of MOVE Texas, who showed support and provided supplies at the protest.

Joe Rodriguez

A 75-year-old Air Force veteran and San Marcos resident who expressed concerns about the current political climate and its impact on future generations.

Joe Sokal

A member of the Step Up San Marcos team who urged protesters to direct their anger towards the current administration, rather than each other.

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What they’re saying

“There are always going to be people fighting for peace and fighting for change … and justice. As long as we're around, we'll be fighting for Texas State and for people.”

— Vanessa Treviño, President of MOVE Texas

“I'm 75 years old, and I've seen a lot in my life. I would've never thought in my life that it would be like this, and I'm concerned about my kids, my grandkids and great-grandkids.”

— Joe Rodriguez, Air Force veteran and San Marcos resident

“I get your anger, your sense of alienation [and] economic anxiety. But the avatar you've picked to represent that is going to turn you into something generations will be ashamed of.”

— Joe Sokal, Step Up San Marcos team member

“I love seeing San Marcos come together like this, it's beautiful. Looking at the different generations that are here, students and non-students, it's nice to see that we can all come together under this umbrella of issues.”

— Olivia Stout, San Marcos resident

What’s next

The organizers of the 'No Kings Day' protest in San Marcos plan to continue their advocacy efforts, working with local authorities to ensure the safety and legality of future demonstrations. They hope to maintain the momentum and community engagement sparked by this event.

The takeaway

The 'No Kings Day' protest in San Marcos highlights the growing grassroots resistance to the current presidential administration and its policies, particularly among younger generations. The diverse turnout and commitment to non-violence demonstrate the community's desire to voice their concerns and work towards positive change, despite facing opposition and anger from some segments of the population.