{"id":16790,"date":"2025-06-14T12:53:29","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T19:53:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/?p=16790"},"modified":"2025-06-14T12:53:29","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T19:53:29","slug":"thousands-rally-at-no-kings-anti-trump-protests-in-southern-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/thousands-rally-at-no-kings-anti-trump-protests-in-southern-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Thousands Rally at ‘No Kings,’ Anti-Trump Protests in Southern California"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thousands Rallying Today at ‘No Kings,’ Anti-Trump Protests in Southern California<\/h1>\n

Introduction to the Protests<\/h2>\n

Thousands of people are rallying at dozens of demonstrations around Southern California today as part of a massive, nationwide \u201cNo Kings Day of Defiance\u201d protest against President Trump and his policies. More than 1,500 events are being held nationwide, and demonstrations are taking place throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. A complete list can be found here.<\/p>\n

The Reason Behind the Protests<\/h2>\n

The \u201cNo Kings Day\u201d protests across the country coincide with a military parade the Trump administration is organizing on Flag Day in Washington, D.C., to mark the U.S. Army\u2019s 250th birthday. It\u2019s also Trump\u2019s birthday, and his critics hope to send a clear message: \u201cIn America, we don\u2019t do kings,\u201d according to Indivisible, the progressive organization behind \u201cNo Kings Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Protest Scenes Across Southern California<\/h2>\n

By around 9:40 a.m., thousands of people had already amassed at Long Beach\u2019s Bixby Park, with the crowd lining both sides of Ocean Boulevard for several blocks in either direction. Protesters were jubilant and defiant, holding signs saying \u201cStop racism,\u201d \u201cNo kings,\u201d and \u201cNo one is illegal on stolen lands.\u201d Many of the signs attacked the Trump administration for the federal immigration raids conducted around Southern California and elsewhere this past week.<\/p>\n

\nSarah Bettendorf came to the sprawling Long Beach rally in Lady Liberty attire. \u201cLady Liberty stands for kindness, compassion, and hope,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re here to say no to the haters. We\u2019re here to stand up for Constitutional Rights and protect all immigrants, because it is important to remember that there are no kings and that we all have rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Law Enforcement and Protest Preparations<\/h2>\n

Law enforcement agencies across the region are on heightened alert for the planned protests, including a large rally expected outside Los Angeles City Hall. By 9:50 a.m., just before the protest\u2019s scheduled start time, the crowd in downtown LA had grown significantly\u2014thousands filled Grand Park and spilled out onto both sides of North Spring Street.<\/p>\n

Diverse Voices at the Protests<\/h2>\n

Among the demonstrators was Alicia Bleier, a retired business owner from Silver Lake, who said she joined out of \u201coutrage at how the federal government is overstepping their bounds and politicizing what shouldn\u2019t be politicized.\u201d Standing beside her was her friend Lucy Salcedo, a longtime LA Unified teacher. She said she\u2019s been devastated since one of her first-grade students and his mother were deported more than a week ago.<\/p>\n

Trump Administration’s Shift in Deportation Policy<\/h2>\n

The Trump administration has abruptly shifted the focus of its mass deportation campaign, telling Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to largely pause raids and arrests in the agricultural industry and at hotels and restaurants. \u201cOur great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,\u201d President Donald Trump said in a Thursday social media post.<\/p>\n

Counter-Protests and Community Responses<\/h2>\n

A planned protest in Huntington Beach drew a heavy presence of Trump supporters Saturday morning, an hour before the scheduled noon start time. By 11 a.m., dozens of vehicles flying Trump 2024 flags had lined the streets near the pier, with supporters waving flags, honking horns, and walking down Main and PCH. The counter-presence appeared to outnumber early arrivals for the protest.<\/p>\n

Curfews and Security Measures<\/h2>\n

The 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for a one-square-mile section of downtown Los Angeles after a week of protests against federal immigration raids will remain in place today. The curfew affects a portion downtown between the 5 and 110 freeways, and from the 10 Freeway to where the 5 and 110 merge. The area includes Skid Row, Chinatown, and the Arts and Fashion districts.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The "No Kings Day" protests mark a significant moment in the ongoing debate about immigration policies, presidential power, and the role of activism in American democracy. As thousands rally across Southern California and the nation, their message of defiance and call for constitutional rights underscores the deep divisions and challenges facing the country.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n