About 300 people in Los Osos waved signs and American flags in protest of the Trump administration and Department of Government Efficiency head, Elon Musk, as part of “Not My President” demonstrations across the nation.
Amidst the support of blaring horns from cars passing by the intersection of Los Osos Valley Road and South Bay Boulevard, protestors chanted and held mostly handmade signs with sentiments ranging from “DOGE Bag,” to “Stop the Coup,” and “Super Callous Fragile Racist Despot Lying Potus” among others.
“This gives us some hope, because we’re all so discouraged,” Morro Bay resident Kathy Simpson told Estero Bay News during the rally. “Every day we see that more and more of our government is being shut down, and it’s going to hurt kids and older adults, our education, housing, our veterans, and our free press.”
The rally aimed to oppose the perceived coup by the current administration and promote unity under the rule of law and the Constitution.
“I think more people are going to realize that we are experiencing a coup — it’s a takeover of our government by unauthorized individuals,” Marcia Alter, who spearhead the county protests in conjunction with Indivisible.org and support from the SLO County Democratic Party, told Estero Bay News. “I wanted to bring everyone under the tent, because, although somebody may not have voted the way I voted, none of us voted for chaos and fear.”
The countywide protests, also held in Grover Beach, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, took place on Presidents Day, February 17. In all about 1500 people gathered across the county — 600 in San Luis Obispo, 350-400 in South County, 200 in North County and the 300 in Los Osos.
More protests as well as opportunities to get involved in other ways are in the pipeline. Alter cautions against waiting to get involved until the possible shift in control of the Republican majorities in the House and Senate following the 2026 mid-term elections.
“If we can get the few persuadable Republicans to capitulate and to vote in a way that supports our Constitution and the rule of law, then we’ll have something. And that that can happen now. That can happen in the next vote. Raising money for this issue, or that issue is not going to matter, if we don’t have a country, and that’s where we’re headed.”
Alter encourages participation in future events from people across the political spectrum, not just those who identify as Democrats but who share the same values.
“I welcome people who have essentially changed their mind,” she said. “That’s a beautiful thing, and it’s not easy to do. I would have much appreciation and high regard for them. They never have to say, I voted for Trump. I don’t care how they voted; I just want their support now.”
For more information and to get involved in upcoming events, go to indivisible.org.
