LOS ANGELES (CNS) – More than 50,000 people are expected to gather in downtown Los Angeles Saturday for a major march and rally as part of a nationwide “No Kings” Day protest of immigration enforcement and other federal policies.
The event, scheduled at Gloria Molina Grand Park across from City Hall, is one of thousands planned in communities across the country — including throughout Southern California. A rally is set to begin at 2 p.m., followed by a march at 3 p.m., according to organizers.
In anticipation of the crowds, Caltrans crews on 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.
The preparations come ahead of what organizers expect to be one of the largest demonstrations in the region.
“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 include actress Jodie Sweetin and Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association.
“A lot of people want to help, they just don’t know where to start,” Emily Williams, a lead organizer for 50501 SoCal, said in a statement. “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.”
Organizers said participants are expected to carry large helium-filled balloons depicting President Donald Trump, along with handmade signs, during a roughly 1.5-mile march beginning on Spring Street.
The organizers will call for the impeachment and removal of the Trump administration and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“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 separate rally and march is also planned in Encino, where more than 1,000 people are expected to gather at 11 a.m. at Ventura Boulevard and Hayvenhurst Avenue, according to organizers.
The event will include remarks from Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, former Biden administration adviser Jake Levine and other speakers before participants march along Ventura Boulevard.
Similar demonstrations are planned in:
— Pasadena: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., beginning at Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., and concluding at Pasadena City Hall;
— Whittier: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Painter Avenue;
— Sherman Oaks: 4 to 6 p.m. at the intersection of Sepulveda and Ventura boulevards;
— Long Beach: Noon to 2 p.m. at East Ocean Boulevard and Temple Avenue near Bluff Park;
— Torrance: Beginning about 10:30 a.m. at Torrance City Hall, 3031 Torrance Blvd., following a march from El Prado Park;
— Santa Monica: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Palisades Park near Montana and Ocean avenues;
— West Hollywood: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd.;
— Culver City: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Culver City Hall, 9770 Culver Blvd.;
— Glendale: Noon to 2 p.m. in the plaza behind City Hall, 613 E. Broadway;
— Monterey Park: Noon to 2 p.m. at South Atlantic Boulevard and West Riggin Street;
— Alhambra: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Renaissance Plaza, 24 N. Garfield Ave.;
— Burbank: 1 to 3 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln Park, 300 N. Buena Vista St.;
— Beverly Hills: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Beverly Hills Garden Park, 9439 Santa Monica Blvd.;
— North Hollywood: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Magnolia Boulevard and Tujunga Avenue;
— Studio City: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Laurel Canyon and Ventura boulevards;
— Woodland Hills: 10 a.m. to noon at 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd.; and
— Highland Park: 5 to 8 p.m. at York Boulevard and North Figueroa Street.
Additional demonstrations are planned in Orange County, including:
— Anaheim: 2 to 5 p.m. at La Palma Park, 1151 N. La Palma Parkway;
— La Habra: 10 a.m. to noon at Imperial Highway and Beach Boulevard;
— Newport Beach: 10 a.m. to noon at Pacific Coast Highway and Jamboree Road;
— Orange: 10 a.m. to noon at Yorba Park, 7600 E. La Palma Ave.; and
— Sunset Beach: 10 a.m. to noon at Pacific Coast Highway and Warner Avenue.
A map of all the events can be found at https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/map/.
Recent Comments