Thousands of New Mexicans are expected to gather at Mariposa Basin Park in Albuquerque Saturday for “No Kings Day,” a nationwide protest against the policies and actions of the Trump administration.
The event, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at Mariposa Basin Park (4900 Kachina St. NW), will join protests occurring in over 20 villages, towns and cities across the state, as part of a larger national demonstration.
“If you are unhappy about the direction of the country, here is your chance to make your voice heard loud and clear,” said rally organizer Terry Eisenbart of Sandoval County Indivisible. “So many of us are disgusted and sickened by the actions of the Trump administration and we want to send an unmistakable protest message to Washington DC. Trump is clearly trying to move us to an authoritarian state and that is unacceptable.”
Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) will deliver the keynote address at noon. Stansbury, a member of the Congressional DOGE Committee, is known for her opposition to federal cutbacks. Stansbury will also deliver a town hall at 4 p.m. with Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers in Downtown Albuquerque.
Two-time Grammy winner Robert Mirabal, a Taos Pueblo native musician, and Kristin Greer Love, a senior civil liberties attorney at the ACLU of New Mexico, are also scheduled to speak.
Organizers have described the event as “family-friendly,” featuring food trucks, live music, a dance party and children’s activities. A protest march around the park, intended to mock Trump’s military parade, is also planned.
While organizers insist the rally will be peaceful, the Albuquerque Police Department is “preparing for several gatherings with the goal of keeping people safe,” according to APD Director of Communications Gilbert Gallegos.
“We value every person’s Constitutional right to gather and express themselves. But we want them to be safe when they are attending a large rally like this,” Gallegos said. “Our biggest concern is typically when people march from the site; we want to have officers available to address traffic concerns. We try to work with organizers ahead of time to accomplish these objectives. We also have contingency plans in place in case something unanticipated happens. But we know that the vast majority of people who attend these rallies are peaceful and respectful of each other.”
The “No Kings Day” protest is being organized by Indivisible Albuquerque, Sandoval County Indivisible, Rio Grande Indivisible, Third Act NM, and 50501.
“This will be a family-friendly event,” said Sandy Stulberg of Indivisible Albuquerque. “We will have food trucks, live music, a dance party and activities for kids along with a protest march around the park mocking Trump’s military parade. Our goal is to join others around the country standing together against an authoritarian regime.”
The Dims don’t like kings. They believe everyone should instead be a comrade, and everyone should be the same and equal. Except of course, for the comrades running the government. They’re very privileged.