In the aftermath of the No Kings Day protests that swept through San Antonio on October 18, 2025, the city’s North Side has been left grappling with a wave of politically charged vandalism. Residents awoke Sunday morning to find graffiti sprawled across churches, residential neighborhoods, traffic signs, and highway overpasses—messages that have stirred strong reactions from local leaders, faith communities, and everyday citizens alike.
The most prominent target was the Community Bible Church (CBC), a sprawling congregation with over 15,000 weekly worshipers. Vandals spray-painted phrases such as “Jesus wants TRUMP gone!” and “No King but God” on the church’s grounds and building. According to images shared by CBC Pastor Ed Newton on Instagram and Facebook, the graffiti was both extensive and pointed in its messaging. Pastor Newton did not mince words in his response, declaring, “To spew evil, spray paint this on our church, in a form of hate, causes me to question the very belief system of who participate, condone, and not condemn this kind of hate language and ideology.”
Newton’s post went further, emphasizing that his loyalty lies not with any political party but with his faith: “Let’s be real clear. Jesus is King. Like Period. Jesus is King. But the Scripture is real clear 1 Timothy 2:1-2 calls those of faith to pray for all forms of government leadership. Which includes the ones we don’t like and like as well.” He condemned the act as hate and urged followers not to retaliate, stating, “If the mission is to intimidate in the name of Jesus then I don’t think we are talking about the same Jesus.”
The church wasn’t alone in being targeted. Throughout several northside neighborhoods, residents found their fences, traffic signs, and even highway overpass supports defaced with slogans like “No More Trump” and “Stop Trump Now!” According to reports from Breitbart Texas, the graffiti was visible near the 281 Access Road and Evans Road, a busy corridor for drivers heading south toward downtown. The messages were hard to miss and, for many, impossible to ignore.
District 9 Councilwoman Misty Spears was among the first public officials to respond. On Saturday afternoon, her office was alerted to the vandalism, and she quickly took to social media to express her dismay. “This is not peaceful protest or activism….it’s vandalism, and it will not be tolerated,” Spears wrote. Emphasizing her commitment to both free speech and public safety, she added, “We care about all graffiti and tagging, but there’s a difference when there’s messaging and hate speech tied to it, and so it’s important we get that removed as soon as possible.”
In a follow-up interview, Spears elaborated on her position, saying, “We don’t want any graffiti, tagging, any of that, but when it’s hateful and politicized like that in nature, we definitely, we don’t have any room for that in District 9, or really anywhere in San Antonio.” She described the graffiti as divisive, noting, “It’s just disappointing, disheartening, not what I expect to see from my fellow San Antonians. I think we’re better than that.” Spears also acknowledged that such acts might make some residents feel unsafe, underscoring the importance of a rapid cleanup.
Spears wasted no time in contacting law enforcement and the city’s public works department. The San Antonio Police Department has launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the vandalism, while cleanup efforts are underway. However, the process is not without its challenges. Some of the graffiti was painted on public property, necessitating coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot). Spears assured constituents that her office would “continue to monitor the situation and share updates as they become available.”
The timing of the vandalism is no coincidence. On the day of the incident, more than a thousand residents participated in the No Kings Day protest at Travis Park, joining a nationwide movement against the Trump administration’s policies. As Breitbart Texas observed, protesters marched through downtown San Antonio carrying anti-Trump and anti-ICE signs. While the demonstration was largely peaceful, a few non-violent altercations occurred between No Kings protesters and a small group of counter-protesters near the Alamo. One notable incident involved a protester wearing horns who antagonized a pro-Trump supporter, leading the latter to leave the area.
Despite the protest’s overall peaceful nature, the subsequent acts of vandalism have cast a shadow over the event’s message. Many community members, including Pastor Newton and Councilwoman Spears, have drawn a clear line between peaceful activism and criminal behavior. Newton, in particular, stressed the need for respectful engagement: “Can I tell you what ‘Jesus wants you to do?’ Not to spray paint His church. Not to vandalize, break laws, and honor the God you claim.”
For the Community Bible Church, the incident is especially painful given its history as a place of refuge and outreach. Just months before, Newton had garnered national attention for embracing a homeless man who interrupted a sermon—a moment that went viral on social media. The church’s commitment to inclusivity and compassion stands in stark contrast to the hateful messages left on its walls.
As the city moves forward, the focus remains on healing and restoring a sense of safety. Spears and other city officials are urging residents to report any suspicious activity and to support one another during this unsettling time. Cleanup crews, police officers, and city staff are working diligently to erase the physical traces of the incident, but the emotional scars—and the questions about the boundaries between protest and vandalism—may linger for some time.
Ultimately, the events of October 18, 2025, have sparked a broader conversation in San Antonio about the responsibilities that come with free expression. As Councilwoman Spears put it, “District 9 and every neighborhood in San Antonio deserves to feel safe and respected.” The hope, shared by many, is that the city can come together to reaffirm those values, even in the face of division and discord.
