Large crowds turned Saturday out as part of a nationwide day of protests against illegal immigration enforcement and other federal policies at the more than 50 “No Kings” Day demonstrations across Los Angeles and Orange counties, including in downtown L.A., where police issued a Tactical Alert and a Dispersal Order in response to vandalism by one group of demonstrators.
The downtown rally at Gloria Molina Grand Park across from City Hall began around 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by a march at 3 p.m., according to organizers.
In anticipation of the crowds, Caltrans crews Friday placed security gates along on- and off-ramps to the Hollywood (101) Freeway in the downtown area. During previous No Kings protests in downtown L.A., some participants moved onto freeway lanes, temporarily blocking traffic. Surface streets were also blocked in the Civic Center area, including sections of Broadway and Spring streets.
The mayor and the police department urged participants to keep the demonstrations peaceful and lawful.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released the following statement Saturday:
“Peaceful protest is our constitutional right. When people come together to make their voices heard, that is democracy in action. Please stay safe and look out for one another.”
Also Saturday morning, a police statement was posted to X.
“The Los Angeles Police Department fully supports the right of individuals to peacefully assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can express themselves safely. We ask those that choose to assemble to do so in a manner that is lawful, safe and responsible,” the LAPD said in a statement posted Saturday morning on X.
As afternoon turned to evening and after a group of protesters started kicking a fence in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center at Alameda and Temple streets, the LAPD issued a Tactical Alert and ordered demonstrators to leave the area.
“Protestors on Alameda between Aliso and Temple have been warned multiple times by Federal Authorities to not attempt to tear down the gate and not throw items,” the LAPD stated on X. “Federal authorities are using non-lethal measures to move crowd back.”
Video from the scene showed LAPD officers on foot and horseback lining up to push protesters away from the location. Photos showed tear gas in use.
Around 7:25 p.m., the department tweeted, “multiple arrests being made.”
Some participants in the downtown march carried a large helium-filled balloon depicting President Donald Trump, along with handmade signs, during a roughly 1.5-mile march beginning on Spring Street. The organizers called for Trump’s impeachment and removal from office and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“As unconstitutional deportations and inhumane treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers continue across the United States, and as illegal and unauthorized wars are perpetrated around the globe, Los Angeles unites in solidarity with a peaceful march and rally,” organizers said in a statement.
Scheduled speakers included actress Jodie Sweetin and Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest union. It represents public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staff members at colleges and universities, retired educators and college students preparing to become teachers.
“A lot of people want to help, they just don’t know where to start,” said Emily Williams, a lead organizer for 50501 SoCal. “No Kings is that starting point. It’s about community, about showing up for each other, and about turning concern into real action you can be part of.”
“The president thinks his rule is absolute,” according to the No Kings website. “But in America, we don’t have kings — and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption and cruelty. Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger. `No Kings’ is more than just a slogan; it is the foundation our nation was built upon.”
A total of 40 demonstrations were held in L.A. County, including Burbank, Culver City, Hollywood, Long Beach, Malibu, Venice and Woodland Hills. More than a dozen demonstrations were held in Orange County, including Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Santa Ana and Westminster.