Hundreds of Redding residents turned out late Tuesday afternoon for a protest on Cypress Avenue in front of Redding City Hall. Dubbed a “No Kings in America” demonstration, the many mostly hand-lettered sings reflected frustration and anger that’s been building over President Trump, Elon Musk and their toppling of domestic and foreign policies. Many of the people present expressed dismay about the mass layoffs and firings of government career employees, and the gutting of many services seen as vital. Signs also decried the elimination of trans recognition, LGBTQ rights, diversity programs, defunding of programs that benefit veterans and plans for mass deportation of immigrants. Several dozen counter protesters were there in support of the Trump Administration, with many of them gathering across the bridge in front of the Republican Headquarters at Cypress and Hemsted.
-Steve Gibson