Protesters take part in the downtown San Diego “No Kings” march on June 14, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
A former U.S. Navy SEAL who prosecutors say intended to travel to San Diego to launch fireworks at law enforcement officers during “No Kings Day” protests last summer was convicted by a federal jury in New Mexico.
Gregory Vandenberg purchased six mortar fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers with the intent of throwing them at officers during the protests scheduled for June 14, 2025, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico.
Prosecutors say Vandenberg was traveling from El Paso to San Diego, but stopped at a New Mexico travel center on June 12 to purchase the fireworks.
While at the center, Vandenberg “asked detailed questions about the amount of gunpowder in the fireworks, their explosive impact, and their ability to harm others,” according to prosecutors, who said Vandenberg also encouraged a store clerk to join him so they could throw the fireworks at law enforcement officials together in California.
“Vandenberg emphasized that he was not interested in the color or display of the fireworks — only in their ability to cause explosions and harm law enforcement,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Travel center employees contacted police and provided Vandenberg’s license plate number. He was arrested in Tucson, Arizona the following morning.
Prosecutors allege that a search of his vehicle turned up the fireworks and clothing that displayed “antisemitic, anti-Israel, and extremist symbols — including a t-shirt with an image of the Al-Qaeda flag and a t-shirt calling for the destruction of Judea.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also alleged that “violent and extremist content” was discovered following a search of his phone, in which he expressed his ire toward the U.S. government.
Vandenberg was found guilty Friday of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate and attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California.
Between 1,000 and 2,000 Burbank residents filled the intersection of Verdugo Avenue and Buena Vista Street on October 18 for a spirited “No Kings Day” demonstration — part of a growing national movement emphasizing democratic values, local empowerment, and resistance to political or corporate overreach.
Photo by Xavier Dubon)
The large crowd stretched across several blocks, waving colorful handmade signs while passing motorists honked their horns in support. Chants echoed through the neighborhood, but despite the volume and passion, the demonstration remained peaceful and well-organized.
No Kings Day began as a national grassroots campaign calling for renewed civic accountability and balance of power at every level of government. The movement’s name — “No Kings” — symbolizes a rejection of authoritarianism and unchecked influence, both in politics and corporate life. Across the country, gatherings were held in dozens of cities, from large rallies in Washington, D.C. and Chicago to smaller community marches in towns like Burbank.
Organizers describe the day as a reminder that democracy depends on ordinary people participating in decision-making, not just powerful individuals or institutions. The event’s messaging often blended calls for transparency, fair elections, and citizen-led reform with local themes specific to each city.
In Burbank, the demonstration drew a wide mix of participants — students from Burbank and Burroughs High Schools, local activists, and longtime residents, many of whom expressed themselves as a visible part in a national day of civic action.
Nationally, Republican leaders across the country were largely critical of No Kings Day, framing the demonstrations as anti-American and politically motivated rather than genuine expressions of democratic engagement. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the events a “hate-America rally” tied to extremist groups, while other GOP figures like Tom Emmer and Steve Scalise echoed similar sentiments, portraying the movement as radical and divisive. In several states, Republican governors, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, deployed additional law enforcement and National Guard units in anticipation of the protests. While organizers described No Kings Day as a peaceful, citizen-led call for accountability and civic empowerment, the Republican response focused on security concerns and questioned the legitimacy of the movement’s aims.
As the sun set, demonstrators gradually dispersed. For many, the peaceful display reinforced a simple message at the heart of No Kings Day — that democracy thrives when ordinary citizens take an active role in shaping the future.
Photo Gallery by myBurbank’s Xavier Dubon (reader advisory, images may contain offensive language)
Despite the rain soaking their flags and smearing the writing on their signs, thousands marched through the streets of downtown Fort Worth on Saturday, shouting, “Donald Trump has got to go.”
Entirely peaceful, the Fort Worth No Kings rally and march were part of a national movement against President Trump’s “authoritarianism,” according to the release. The local event was organized by Tarrant County AFL-CIO, Fort Worth Area Indivisible, Indivisible TX-24 and Indivisible TX-12.
Saturday’s event at Burk Burnett Park drew roughly 6,500 people — more than the June No Kings rallies in Arlington and Fort Worth had combined. Some carried American flags or dressed in whimsical costumes, but the majority held signs conveying pro-democracy and anti-Trump messages.
A large crowd gathers in Burk Burnett Park for the No Kings protest in downtown Fort Worth on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. John Rowland Special to the Star-Telegram
U.S. veteran Jeremiah Dye said he came out to the protest dressed as in an inflatable frog suit because democracy is a participation sport and resistance to bad governance can be joyful.
“When I look around, and I see my veteran brothers and sisters sleeping under the bridges, going without food, going without access to mental health care and health care facilities,” Dye said, “when I see people of color being discriminated against, when I see women losing their ability to affect their own health care decisions, when I see little black boys in Chicago being zip tied by 250 pound ICE officers…, somebody’s going to get these frog hands.”
EJ Carrion, 817 podcast host and the emcee for the rally, said his goal is make the people in attendance just 2% bolder so they will speak out at local government meetings and rally their circles to vote.
“The cherry on top is for them to realize this is a local issue,” Carrion said. “It’s about Fort Worth. We are the front line of democracy, and if we could signal that we’ve had enough — you know, to America, we’re the cowboy city. And if the cowboy city decides that they had enough, what does that say for everyone else across the country?”
Behind a Fort Worth Police car, clergy members and people dressed as handmaids led the chanting mass on a 1.5-mile trek around downtown and back to the park.
A large crowd marches through downtown streets during the No Kings protest in Fort Worth on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. John Rowland (Special to the Star-Telegram)
Referencing the parable about God separating the sheep from the goats in Matthew 25, the Rev. William S. Winston, a retired Episcopal priest, said the Bible says people must serve the needy no matter who they are. Winston said because of that, Bible-believing and sacramental Christians have no choice but to be out protesting for the protection of immigrants.
“We need to be so geared by our religion, our faith, our Bible, our sacraments, to go completely reflexively to the least in our communities and voice and empower them to the very best that we can,” he said.
Once the rain waned and the marchers returned to the park, activists and elected officials spoke to the crowd about the need to protect democracy and speak out against authoritarianism and fascism.
Benny Delavega waves an American flag as he speaks at the No Kings protest in Burk Burnett Park in downtown Fort Worth on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. John Rowland Special to the Star-Telegram
Defense attorney and former police officer Julya Billhymer quoted Benjamin Franklin’s words that America is “a republic, if you can keep it.” She said now is the time to embrace the responsibility to keep it.
To inspire the crowd to save America, Billhymer had everyone raise their right hand and repeat the same oath that politicians and public officials take.
“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” Billhymer led the crowd in saying. “That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and I will faithfully fight for democracy.”
Ninety-five-year-old Korean War veteran William Johnson, center, and others march through downtown streets during the No Kings protest in Fort Worth on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. John Rowland Special to the Star-Telegram
Among the speakers were Fort Worth Council member Chris Nettles, Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons and State Rep. Nicole Collier.
“This is what patriotism looks like,” Collier said. “You are here because you care. You are here because you believe in a democracy where freedom of speech is a right, not a risk. You are here because you will stand your ground no matter how wet it is, because you are rooted in our democracy. This country was built on a democracy. We the people. And when they lose sight of that, we got to take our country back.”
Rachel Royster is a news and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, specifically focused on Tarrant County. She joined the newsroom after interning at the Austin American-Statesman, the Waco Tribune-Herald and Capital Community News in DC. A Houston native and Baylor grad, Rachel enjoys traveling, reading and being outside. She welcomes any and all news tips to her email.
DENVER — Hundreds of demonstrators spent their Labor Day rallying for workers’ rights at the Colorado Capitol.
The event was organized by the group 50501, which also organized the No Kings Day protest back in June.
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The group held two marches: one through downtown Denver, where people held signs criticizing the Trump administration’s affiliations with billionaires and other policies, and another to the Governor’s Mansion, where people dropped off letters of various personal concerns.
The focus of the event was to support labor rights, but 50501 also collaborated with several community groups — some political, some not. Booths were set up to connect community members who want to engage in change with causes they may want to support.
“It’s us versus the 1%,” said Colorado 50501 organizer Jennifer Bradley. “It’s not left or right. It’s not Democrat or Republican. It’s about the people standing up for the people together.”
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Denver7 spoke to some of the demonstrators who marched through the streets.
“I think the broad community wants to respond, is looking for some way to protest. And so this hopefully starts that dialog of getting people out, seeing that other people are out here feeling like there’s another voice and that people can jump in and lend their hand,” said Jerry Rouse.
“The workers of our city and of our states, they are what hold America together, and so we have to stand up against these billionaires that are trying to ruin our democracy,” said Alex Lotze.
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The protest and marches were peaceful. There was a brief moment of tension when a handful of people from a separate community group blocked Lincoln Street, prompting a quick and robust police presence. Volunteers with the organizing group were able to speak to those individuals, convince them to move, and clear the road.
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