photo credit: Shandra Back
Protesters line the streets in Guerneville with signs during October’s No Kings demonstration.

A nationwide “No Kings” protest is planned for March 28, with demonstrations expected in Santa Rosa and other North Bay communities.

The Santa Rosa Police Department is preparing for crowds even larger than last fall’s march, which drew more than 10,000 people, one of the biggest demonstrations in the city’s history.

Police Chief John Cregan said the size of that event strained his department.

“That was a lot and at times was overwhelming for our team,” he said.

The crowd also created safety challenges. A bottleneck at Juilliard Park made it difficult for emergency crews to reach an injured man. Paramedics had to leave their ambulance outside the park and bring in a gurney by hand.

Cregan said the department’s response to past protests and unrest hasn’t always aligned with his mission as chief.

“We’ve made mistakes in the past and quite honestly, I was part of some of the mistakes that were made,” he said.

This month’s protest could draw as many as 15,000 people, according to Cregan. He said the department is preparing with safety as its priority.

“We’re here to be guardians of the community,” he said. “There will be protesters and counter‑protesters, and we’re here to make it a safe environment for all.”

Organizers in Santa Rosa are planning two marches starting at Santa Rosa Junior College and at Juilliard Park. Both are scheduled at 3 p.m. and to converge at Old Courthouse Square.

The No Kings movement describes itself as a national, nonviolent protest against authoritarianism and the Trump administration. Organizers emphasize de‑escalation and urge participants to bring only protest signs.