Thousands peacefully gathered at Civic Center and Waterfront Park, joining "No Kings" events across the region and the U.S.

About 60,000 people took to the streets of downtown San Diego on Saturday for what organizers are calling "No Kings" Day, a nationwide protest of President Donald Trump's policies.

“Our country is a republic. Our country has no kings and judging from the policies and the actions coming out of the White House and from the President, that does not actually tell us that he's acting as a king, and people are just tired of it, and they wanted to speak out,” No Kings Carlsbad Protest Organizer, Kathy Minton said.

For Deb McLean, the No Kings turn-out in Mira Mesa, a community of about 80,000 residents, was a reason for optimism.

Demonstrators crowded into streets, parks and plazas across the U.S. on Saturday to protest President Trump, marching through downtowns and blaring anti-authoritarian chants mixed with support for protecting democracy and immigrant rights.