No Kings Day Protests Across L.A.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators fanned out across Southern California Saturday for “No Kings Day” protests against President Trump, depicting the president as an aspiring monarch who violates Democratic norms as he has clashed with California leaders over his deployment of the military to clamp down on at times violent protests sparked by immigration raids.
The Protests
The images — signs referencing the nation’s 1776 founding, crossed-out crowns; American, Mexican, Guatemalan and El Salvadoran flags; and the words “protest is patriotic” — stood in stark contrast to displays in Washington, D.C., where Trump’s birthday coincided with a day of carefully orchestrated concerts and exhibitions celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday before an up to $45-million parade replete with tanks and soldiers in fatigues.
Protester Testimonies
“All of our rights are being violated,” said Michelle Verne, 56, who marched in downtown Los Angeles with roughly 30,000 others. She held a laminated copy of the Constitution that was shredded at the bottom. “We’ve had other administrations deport people, but not like this,” she said, referencing this month’s immigration enforcement that has swept up families at homes, in workplaces and while in vehicles.
“We love our country, that’s obvious,” Verne said. “We’re fighting for our rights.”
Protests Across Southern California
The protests — more than 2,000 were scheduled nationally and dozens in Southern California — were largest downtown. In Los Angeles County, marches were planned in Woodland Hills, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Whittier, Thousand Oaks, South Bay and scores of other neighborhoods.
Festive Mood and Personal Stories
Some social media posts and photos shared between friends showed Saturday’s crowds in a festive mood at times. In downtown L.A., state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo danced with protesters at Plaza Olvera.
Thousands lined Torrance Boulevard for roughly a mile from Hawthorne Boulevard past Maple Avenue, where raids have felt personal after a 9-year-old Torrance Elementary School student and his father were deported to Honduras after being detained during an immigration hearing in Los Angeles last month.
“When I saw that fourth-grade boy taken from his family, it gave me chills thinking of how scared he was,” said Laurie Pisano, a retired school librarian from Rancho Palos Verdes. “Democracy is important, and that’s not what’s happening.”
Counter-Protests and Tensions
There was also a spattering of pro-Trump counter-activists who said they supported the president’s stated mission to carry out “the largest domestic deportation operation” in U.S. history. After nine straight days of immigration raids, several hundred immigrants have so far been detained around Los Angeles — a small drop of the more than 11 million in the U.S.
The Trump administration has painted its actions as a matter of safety and law and order, pointing to several individuals with violent criminal histories that it has netted. Opponents of the sweeps say many immigrants whose only legal violations are their immigration statuses are being swept up. They note that the actions have created a widespread sense of fear even among citizens, visa holders and permanent residents, many of whom are part of mixed-status families.
Confrontations and Policies
In Huntington Beach, a Republican stronghold, opposing crowds of pro- and anti-Trump protesters faced off on opposite corners of the intersection at Main and the Pacific Coast Highway, shouting epithets. “Make America Great Again” and “Trump 2024” signs were widely present. “Support your local ICE raid,” read a sign held up by a teenage boy, which also used an epithet to describe how people should treat “foreign friends.”
In West Hollywood Park, rainbow flags were commonplace as activists spoke out against many of the president’s policies, including his push against transgender teens playing on school sports that match their gender identity.
“He portrays us as un-American, as people who hate this country just because we come out against him,” said Magdalena Jamieson, 29, of West Hollywood. “In reality, we are standing up against the ways he breaks the rules and harms people. His anti-LGBTQ+ policies, his anti-DEI policies, his extreme way he’s treating immigrants and then using the military here.”
Democratic Duty and Support
Many of those who came out across the region said they were there to support undocumented immigrants who were afraid to be present. In multiple interviews, individuals also described protesting as a democratic duty.
“How else are we going to express ourselves publicly in our society that something is wrong? The minute we are afraid to be ourselves outside, that’s when tyranny takes over,” said Jonathan Santiago, a 31-year-old Burbank resident demonstrating in downtown Los Angeles.
Government Response and Deployment
By mid-afternoon Saturday, a crowd of a few hundred protesters had surrounded the Federal Building downtown, where dozens of U.S. Marines stood guard at the entrance, clutching their guns and shields. The crowd chanted “shame,” “leave L.A.” and “we don’t want you.”
The Los Angeles protests that started on June 6 after news spread of potential immigration raids southeast of downtown have quickly expanded to the Civic Center and pockets of other areas such as Santa Ana. Incidents over the days have included a brief blocking of the 101 Freeway, viral images of a Waymo vehicle on fire and incidents of vandalism and theft at businesses downtown, including in Little Tokyo.
Overall, there have been roughly 500 arrests.
Mayor’s Plea for Peace
At a Saturday morning press conference, Mayor Karen Bass made a plea for peaceful protests, warning “the eyes of the world” were on Los Angeles.
“Please, please, do not give the administration an excuse to intervene,” she said. Bass said an 8 p.m. curfew would remain in effect Saturday night and implored protesters to stay away from violence and vandalism.
“Don’t even try,” she warned.
Conclusion
The "No Kings Day" protests across L.A. and Southern California reflect a deep-seated concern among citizens about the direction of the country under President Trump’s leadership. The deployment of military personnel to Los Angeles has heightened tensions and raised questions about the balance of power between the federal government and states. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the protests and the demands of the demonstrators.
FAQs
Q: What were the "No Kings Day" protests about?
A: The protests were against President Trump’s policies, particularly his deployment of the military to Los Angeles in response to immigration raids.
Q: How many people participated in the protests?
A: Tens of thousands of people participated in the protests across Southern California.
Q: What were some of the key issues raised by the protesters?
A: The protesters raised issues such as immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and the use of military force in Los Angeles.
Q: How did the government respond to the protests?
A: The government deployed military personnel to Los Angeles, which heightened tensions and raised questions about the balance of power between the federal government and states.
Q: What was the outcome of the protests?
A: The outcome of the protests is still unfolding, but they have brought attention to the concerns of the demonstrators and raised important questions about the direction of the country.
