Large crowds expected across Southern California for ‘No Kings’ protests

LOS ANGELES – Tens of thousands of protesters in Southern California are expected to join others in cities across the United States Saturday for “No Kings” marches and rallies against what they call the autocratic immigration policies of President Donald Trump.

More than 50,000 people are expected to gather in downtown Los Angeles. 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.

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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 LA, some participants moved onto freeway lanes, temporarily blocking traffic.

Peaceful march and rally

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.”

Trump balloons

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.”

Countywide rallies

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.

Orange County rallies

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.

San Diego

The “No Kings” protest in downtown San Diego gets underway at Waterfront Park at 10 a.m. Saturday, next to the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway. The march will head south along Harbor Drive past Ruocco Park and back north on Pacific Highway.
A total of 22 rallies are planned across the county.
“San Diego residents are mobilizing over concerns about immigration enforcement, cuts to social programs and the administration’s use of executive authority,” organizers said in a news release. “They point to increased ICE arrests, cuts and reductions to healthcare, Medicaid and school nutrition programs and the treatment of detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention Center as issues affecting local San Diego families.”
Speakers at the Waterfront Park rally include Bobby Wallace for a Kumeyaay land acknowledgement, San Diego County Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Paloma Aguirre, Pastor Manuel Retamoza of The Border Church and Lorena Gonzalez, the California Federation of Labor Unions President.
According to organizers the march will be “a direct confrontation with escalating state violence, from deportations carried out with little to no due process to military aggression abroad.”
Events are scheduled across San Diego County, including Downtown San Diego, Ocean Beach, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Mira Mesa, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Fallbrook, Temecula, Valley Center, Rancho Bernardo, Ramona, La Mesa, El Cajon, Chula Vista, Otay Mesa and Borrego Springs.
The organizers are calling for the impeachment and removal of the Trump administration and the abolition of ICE
The No Kings National Day of Nonviolent Action will see more than 3,000 communities hold simultaneous demonstrations. The rally is being supported locally by more than 30 organizations. In October, more than 80,000 turned out for a similar rally across San Diego County.

A map of all the events can be found here.

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