February 16, 2026 – Hundreds of protesters braved stormy conditions to line the coast road in Carlsbad, CA for a Not My President’s Day rally. On a national holiday intended to remember presidents who served our nation with honor, this event was a loud and visible rebuke of what many attendees described as the cruel, divisive, and corrupt policies of Donald Trump.

The peaceful event was marked by a wide range of homemade signs with creative slogans, a variety of protest flags, and singing. As one protester noted, the administration has “gone to the dogs” as evidenced by several dogs clad in anti-Trump sweaters parading through the crowd.

Attendees were very vocal in their anger about the administration’s attacks on democracy, as well as their support for their immigrant neighbors in Carlsbad, San Diego, and across the country.