Carrying signs and American flags, protesters took to the streets across Southern California to express their outrage over President Trump’s policies.
In Ojai, a sleepy city north of Los Angeles, hundreds of protesters lined the sidewalks of Ojai Avenue.
In Long Beach, crowds gathered to wave rainbow flags at Bixby Park. And in Studio City, throngs of people marched along Ventura Boulevard.
The marches — dubbed “No Kings” demonstrations — were planned to denounce the “authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies,” according to 50501, a coalition organizing the event. The group’s name stands for 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.
In Los Angeles County, marches were scheduled in Woodland Hills, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Whittier, Thousand Oaks, South Bay and scores of other areas.
The events were scheduled before federal authorities launched immigration sweeps in the region last week, prompting protests in downtown L.A. The Trump administration then ordered in the National Guard and Marines over the objections of California political leaders, sparking more anger.
Some social media posts and photos shared between friends showed Saturday’s crowds in a festive mood. In downtown L.A., state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo danced with protesters at Plaza Olvera. Nearby, a group chanted and carried a “Defend Democracy” sign.
Saturday’s march in downtown L.A. drew 30,000 people, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
In Torrance, some 10,000 people turned out, according to organizers.
There were few reports of incidents. In Huntington Beach, protesters and a pro-Trump crowd marched across the street from one another. Some people in the groups shouted back and forth.
Protesters took care to create catchy signs. In Ojai, a woman carried a sign that read: “Eggs are expensive because all the chickens are in Congress.”
In Torrance, Linwood resident Belen Pacheco, 24, carried a sign that said, “ICE belongs in my Horchata, not my City!” Saturday’s demonstration was her first protest, she said.
Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel — wearing a shirt that said “Make America Good Again” —posted a photo on social media of himself with his parents out at a march.
“A huge, inspiring and yes – peaceful – turnout in the South Bay. I met many people who love this country and still believe it to be a force for good,” he wrote.
