An anti-Trump protest is set to take place near Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito home, drawing attention to growing national and international outrage over the Trump administration’s recent actions.
The rally is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, at 10 a.m. on Upper State Street, located roughly a 13-minute drive from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s residence in the exclusive Riven Rock neighborhood. The demonstration is being organized by Indivisible Santa Barbara, a progressive grassroots group known for civic engagement and pro-democracy advocacy.
According to organizers, the protest aims to condemn what they describe as the Trump administration’s military abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. bombing of Caracas on January 3, and the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota events that have sparked widespread condemnation across the country.
Community liaison Myra Paige emphasized the seriousness of the moment, stating that many Americans see these developments as a direct threat to democratic institutions, constitutional protections, and basic human rights. She stressed that remaining silent is no longer an option as authoritarian tactics increasingly shape government actions.
Criticism of Trump has intensified following reports that U.S. forces captured Venezuela’s sitting president and launched military strikes on the nation’s capital. For many observers, the escalation represents a dangerous expansion of U.S. power abroad, with severe implications for international law and regional stability.
Ian Paige, a committee member of Indivisible Santa Barbara, drew parallels between U.S. domestic policies and foreign interventions, arguing that events unfolding in Venezuela reflect a broader pattern of targeting vulnerable populations, both within and beyond America’s borders.
Public anger deepened just days later when an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis. Video footage circulating online shows multiple agents confronting her vehicle, ordering her to exit. As she attempted to reverse and leave the area, another agent arrived and fired three shots, killing her. The incident has fueled renewed protests against aggressive immigration enforcement and police violence.
Local reporting indicates that ICE activity has increased in Santa Barbara County, with plainclothes agents operating unmarked vehicles and a noticeable rise in detentions and deportations affecting families and individuals. These developments have heightened fear within immigrant communities and intensified calls for accountability.
Authorities have confirmed that officers from the Santa Barbara Police Department will be present at the rally to ensure public safety.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who relocated to California in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties, have remained private amid the announcement. However, the proximity of the protest to their home has added national visibility to the event.
As tensions rise nationwide, the Montecito rally reflects a broader movement of Americans pushing back against authoritarianism, state violence, and policies they believe undermine democracy at home and abroad.
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