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Home > Desert Oracle Radio > Joshua Tree residents rally for democracy and accountability during “No Kings” Protest
Podcast: Desert Oracle Radio
Episode:

Joshua Tree residents rally for democracy and accountability during “No Kings” Protest
Category: Society & Culture
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2025-06-16 15:47:00
Description:

Despite temperatures climbing from the low 80s to nearly 100 degrees by midday, residents, veterans, and families gathered at all four corners of Park Boulevard and Highway 62, demanding civic accountability. From 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on June 14, the Joshua Tree intersection was filled with people waving flags, holding signs, and raising their voices in defense of democracy, immigrant rights, and constitutional protections.

Volunteers passed out sunscreen, coffee, and water. Christian, who helped coordinate hydration efforts, wasn’t part of any official group. “We just felt compelled to come out here, we knew it was going to be 100 degrees today.”

For Rand, a Marine Corps veteran in a wheelchair, the protest was about principle—and survival.

“I have a spinal cord injury. They defunded research for veterans’ spinal cord injuries. That’s the first thing they cut. I took the oath, I raised my hand. They made a promise. I upheld my end of the bargain. Now they are failing on their promise.” 

Others voiced concern over the erosion of constitutional checks and balances.

“I think it’s important to show that you don’t support having a king as a President and someone who feels that they have impunity to do anything they want to do via executive order and also show support for immigrants in our community that are the backbone of our country.” Other residents expressed concerns about unchecked executive orders, the National Guard’s presence in Los Angeles, and the increasing fear among immigrants in the Morongo Basin.

“This is supposed to be a system with rules and guardrails,” said Steve, a protester. “When you subvert that, you get pushback. That’s what this is.”

Five Trump supporters stood outside the shuttered Mel Benson real estate office, holding flags that read “Donald Trump 2024” and “Make America Great Again.” A hand-painted sign reading “Your Daddy’s Home” rested against a truck parked adjacent to Highway 62.

The protest ended peacefully, with organizers encouraging ongoing engagement. Many described the morning not as an endpoint but “a starting place for ongoing civic action.”
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