By admin 
LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Thousands of demonstrators gathered in downtown Los Angeles Saturday for a “No Kings” rally and march protesting President Donald Trump’s administration, federal immigration enforcement policies and what organizers describe as threats to voting rights ahead of the November midterm elections.
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The demonstration began at around 1 p.m. Saturday at Gloria Molina Grand Park, near Los Angeles City Hall at 200 N. Spring St., as part of a nationwide day of protests organized under the No Kings banner.
A march began about an hour later, with participants following a roughly 1.5-mile route beginning on Spring Street before returning to City Hall. The event is scheduled to conclude around 5 p.m.
The rally, organized by 50501 SoCal in partnership with more than 30 organizations, is among thousands of demonstrations planned across the country Saturday.
Organizers said the Los Angeles event will focus on opposition to federal immigration enforcement actions, concerns about potential election interference and efforts to encourage eligible voters to participate in the upcoming midterm elections.
Scheduled speakers include Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles; Jillian Burgos of Housing for All; Ernesto Ayala; Shannon Rivers; Cliff Pinkerton of California Ranked Choice Voting; and Paul Ramirez, founder of Valley Defensa.
A news release also lists Melina Abdullah among the planned speakers and says representatives of Black Lives Matter Grassroots LA are expected to address the crowd.
Musical performances by Izzy T and Shelton, along with a DJ set by Swage, are also planned.
Demonstrators are expected to carry handmade signs and two large balloons depicting Trump, including a 20-foot-tall balloon showing him wearing a diaper and a 15-foot-tall balloon depicting him in a Russian military uniform.
Organizers also plan a land blessing and drum circle by representatives of local Indigenous communities.
“The same administration that invaded our city is now threatening to interfere with our right to vote,” Aztlan Tenochtitlan, a spokesperson for 50501 SoCal, said in a statement.
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Organizers said the demonstration is intended to build on protests that followed federal immigration raids in Los Angeles and the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to the region in June 2025.
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The rally will also feature voter outreach aimed at helping eligible participants understand their voting options and make plans to cast ballots.
Among the organizations participating in the Los Angeles demonstration are the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, Oxfam America, Black Lives Matter Grassroots LA, Public Citizen, Democratic Socialists of America-Los Angeles, Working Families Party and several local immigrant-rights and community groups.
A separate No Kings demonstration is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena.
Organized by San Gabriel Foothills Indivisible, the Pasadena gathering will also emphasize early voting and opposition to what organizers characterize as authoritarian actions by the Trump administration.
Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, Sen. Sasha Renee Perez, D-Pasadena and Pasadena City Councilman Rick Cole have been invited to speak at the gathering, according to organizers.
The Pasadena event is also expected to feature homemade signs, costumed performers and short voting-related skits.
Organizers of both demonstrations said they are committed to nonviolent protests.
More information about the downtown Los Angeles event is available at mobilize.us/mobilize/event/900835, while information about the Pasadena gathering is available at sangabrielfoothillsindivisible.org.
Voters are encouraged to register before California’s Oct. 19 deadline.
A complete list of events nationally, with further details, can be found at nokings.org.
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