Hundreds of No Kings demonstrators rallied at several locations in Oakland and across the Bay Area on Oct. 17 to promote early voting and resistance to potential election disruption by the Trump administration
Demonstrators stood at major intersections and on freeway over-passes with “Vote Early” signs and other messages, receiving loud encouragement from passing drivers.
Sue Yascolt, 80, participates in a No Kings demonstration using her walker near Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater on Oct. 17, 2026. “I’ve never missed an election in 57 years,” Yascolt said. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.
The group Indivisible set up informational voter stations and community tables to help residents check voter registration status and learn about local ballot drop boxes.
“I want to preserve democracy,” said David Tobiswas, an event organizer stationed outside of the Grand Lake Theater. “I think Trump is trying to create fascism and this is a way to mobilize people.”
David Tobis (right), an organizer of the No Kings demonstration outside the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, said he participated to help preserve democracy on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas speaks at a No Kings demonstration near Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.
Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas spoke about the importance of voting to her immigrant Filipino parents and how necessary protecting that right was.
Near the back of the theater, the band “Quake City Jug Band” jammed together and encouraged gatherers to sing along.
Members of the Quake City street protest jug band perform near Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater during a No Kings demonstration on Oct. 17, 2026. From left are Kevin (harmonica), Rich Trevor (bass), John Tuttle (guitar), Natasha Haugnes (guitar), Steve Scott (mandolin), and John Bidwell (dobro). Photo by Howard Dyckoff.
Demonstrations also took place in North Oakland and at two locations on Fruitvale Avenue.
Britt Anderson and friends held picture frames that said “Vote Early” and offered to have passerbys use them to photograph themselves for social media.
Britt Anderson and a friend encourage early voting during a No Kings demonstration on Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland on Oct. 17, 2026. “I want to encourage people to participate in our democracy by voting,” Anderson said. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.
“We want people’s voices to be heard and contributing to what we want our country to look like,” Anderson said.
The national No Kings movement, led by the group Indivisible, hosted marches and demonstrations at thousands of locations across the country. This was the 4th No Kings event since 2025.
Indivisible has prepared a resource guide to increase public participation in safeguarding elections, and is encouraging people to sign up to be election workers and poll watchers.
Sue Yascolt, 80, participates in a No Kings demonstration using her walker near Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater on Oct. 17, 2026. “I’ve never missed an election in 57 years,” Yascolt said. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.Protest signs line the park area across from Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater during a No Kings demonstration on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas speaks at a No Kings demonstration near Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.No Kings demonstrators chant and display signs near Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater as passing motorists honk in support on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.Members of the Quake City street protest jug band perform near Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater during a No Kings demonstration on Oct. 17, 2026. From left are Kevin (harmonica), Rich Trevor (bass), John Tuttle (guitar), Natasha Haugnes (guitar), Steve Scott (mandolin), and John Bidwell (dobro). Photo by Howard Dyckoff.Demonstrators affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation participate in a No Kings rally near Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.Britt Anderson and a friend encourage early voting during a No Kings demonstration on Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland on Oct. 17, 2026. “I want to encourage people to participate in our democracy by voting,” Anderson said. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.No Kings demonstrators gather along Lake Park Avenue in Oakland, where organizers also set up a voter information table, on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.No Kings demonstrators gather with signs near Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater as passing motorists honk in support on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.Two demonstrators participate in a No Kings rally near Lake Park and Lakeshore avenues in Oakland on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.David Tobis (right), an organizer of the No Kings demonstration outside the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, said he participated to help preserve democracy on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.Nancy Latham and Ed, whose last name was not provided, helped organize a No Kings demonstration near Lake Park Avenue and Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland on Oct. 17, 2026. Photo by Howard Dyckoff.
Howard Dyckoff has lived in Oakland for over 40 years and has been involved with many community groups, including Oakland Digital and Oakland Local, Block by Block, the East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA), and CBE. A Brooklyn, New York, transplant, and an Aerospace Engineering graduate of NY Polytechnic, Howard also attended Laney College, where he wrote for the Laney Tower newspaper and was elected editor. Howard also attended the Starr King School at the Theological Union in Berkeley.
He has served as the Berkeley Free Clinic’s Outreach Coordinator, and also worked as an information technology professional at Chevron, Sybase, and Wells Fargo. He worked in both the 2010 and 2020 Census. Howard has been a regular contributor to Oakland Local and online publications such as TechTarget and Linux Gazette and currently writes for Oakland Voices. He currently does event photography and portraiture around the Bay Area.
