**Arrest Made During Mostly Peaceful “No Kings Day” Protest in Downtown Los Angeles**
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — At least one person was arrested Saturday after a mostly peaceful “No Kings Day” demonstration intensified in downtown Los Angeles. While the Los Angeles Police Department has not released updated information on arrests, new video obtained by Eyewitness News shows several people being detained and loaded onto buses.
On a day marked by nationwide protests, small crowds lingered downtown as the evening progressed, prompting multiple dispersal orders from police. Officers moved in on horseback near the Federal Building, pushing back the crowds. Police reported that nearly 100 agitators walked toward Aliso and Alameda streets; some of these individuals pointed lasers and flashing lights at officers and an LAPD pilot.
Despite the actions of this small group that ignored dispersal orders Saturday night, the “No Kings Day” event largely proceeded without incident.
The march and demonstration attracted thousands outside City Hall as people protested President Donald Trump and his administration. The event featured a 20-foot-tall balloon depicting Trump wearing a diaper, a large banner that read “No Kings for U. S.,” and thousands of handmade signs as protesters marched down Spring Street.
The Los Angeles protest was organized by 50501 SoCal and Service Employees International Union Local 721, in partnership with Black Lives Matter Grassroots Los Angeles, the Removal Coalition, Working Families Party, Black Women for Wellness, Clergy Laity United for Economic Justice, the TransLatin@ Coalition, Democracy Action Network, and the Human Liberation Coalition, among others.
SoCal 50501 is the Los Angeles chapter of the 50501 Group, which describes itself as “a peaceful, decentralized grassroots political movement with a mission to uphold democracy and constitutional governance.” The name stems from the movement’s goal: “50 protests. 50 states. 1 Movement.”
Jane, a demonstrator from Echo Park, said, “We’re here to protest the abuse of power by this administration, the tyranny—the tyranny of the Trump administration.”
Daniel, another participant, added, “I hope Republican and Democratic and Independent voters all come together and realize that they are terrorists.”
“No Kings Day” protests occurred across the nation and throughout Southern California on Saturday. Many demonstrators expressed concern over the recent wave of immigration enforcement operations.
“I can’t go to Home Depot without fearing for my life now,” said Javier Zumaeta of South Pasadena. Vine Idehen of Riverside shared, “At any moment, we could get black-bagged. We’re forced to carry around our passports now. We’re not living in a free country anymore. It’s really, really scary, seeing my innocent friends, family, and people that I know getting deported.”
So far, there have been no reports of property destruction linked to the protests.
According to organizers of the “No Kings” movement, around 7 million people participated in rallies nationwide this Saturday. This marked the second “No Kings” protest and the third major movement against the administration this year. It comes amid rising tensions between federal law enforcement and protesters across the United States.
https://abc7.com/post/least-1-arrest-made-no-kings-day-protest-downtown-la/18038510/
