Tag Archives: Filipinotown

“No Kings” Protests across LA Area

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Protesters at Hollywood and Vermont on Saturday.

I heard that thousands of people showed up for the “No Kings” protest in Downtown LA yesterday, but since I’ve been to a number of the gatherings at LA City Hall, I decided to check out some of the smaller local events. The No Kings organizers reported record turnout across the nation, and while you always have to be skeptical about the numbers given by organizers, it does seem like an increasing number of people are angry and frustrated about the direction the country is going in. The war in Iran, ongoing ICE raids and rising prices seem to be at the top of the list of grievances.

I first went to the protest at Hollywood and Vermont, where it looked like several hundred people showed up. Signs urged passing drivers to honk in support, and lots of drivers responded. I saw one older woman sitting with her hands over her ears. It was pretty loud.

The signs at the Hollywood protest covered a lot of issues.
Protesters marched back and forth across the intersection.
One woman sat with her hands over her ears. It was pretty loud.

Then I went to small rally held in Unidad Park on Beverly in Filipinotown. I’d say between 50 and 100 people showed up to listen to speeches and music. A number of groups had tables set up where volunteers were engaging attendees on various issues. And some kids were having a great time on the swings.

Attendees gathering in front of the stage at Unidad Park in Historic Filipinotown.

Canopies were set up to shield attendees from the sun.
A couple of kids were having a great time on the swings.

While I didn’t go to the main event at LA City Hall, I did pass through Downtown as I got off the bus to get on the train, and I ran into this group of teachers marching up Grand Avenue. They are not happy about what the current administration is doing to education. I assume they were heading to City Hall to join the crowd at Grand Park.

Teachers marching up Grand Ave. in Downtown LA.
The march was well organized and the teachers shouted out slogans as they headed north on Grand.

Then I headed down to Hawthorne, where a small but spirited group of protesters gathered at Hawthorne Blvd. And 120th. Attendees stood with signs and flags, marching back and forth across the intersection. They also got some appreciative honks from passing drivers.

Protesters gathered at Hawthorne Blvd. and 120th.

The crowd urged passing drivers to honk in support.

As the lights changed, protesters walked back and forth across the intersection.

I don’t see these protests going away. It seems like there’s growing frustration with the way things are in the US right now. It will be interesting to see what happens in the mid-term elections.