Patriotism And Peace Define One of the Largest Protests Ever Seen in Los Angeles
"Extremely peaceful," is how one reporter described the huge protest in LA, which is just one of over 2,000 protests as millions of Americans take to the streets to protest Donald Trump.
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Millions of Americans have taken to the streets today in more than 2,000 No Kings protests nationwide, a protest against increasing authoritarian behavior by President Trump.
In Los Angeles, where ICE has been conducting dehumanizing raids including reportedly pointing a gun at a pastor, at least 100,000 people” protesters showed up at what was described as “one of the largest (protests) we’ve ever seen.” The massive protest was repeatedly described as peaceful by ABC 7 News reporters.
“It’s been extremely peaceful… We have not heard the police mobilized once,” a reporter said minutes before 2 PM in Los Angeles (4:51 ET).
A sea of American flags waved up and down the streets of the massive protest, which included No Kings signs, signs against autocracy, Get ICE Out of LA signs, Mexican flags, and more from a huge and diverse crowd.
The protests were repeatedly described as peaceful by ABC7 reporters. “Everything we’ve seen has been peaceful,” Scott Reiff, helicopter pilot and reporter, said hours into the protest.
Reiff and reporter Anabel Munoz both emphasized the peaceful nature of the demonstrations. Reiff earlier noted, "Everything we're seeing right now is peace," and Munoz observed, "These have largely been very peaceful protests" with people dancing and playing music.
Massive crowds shown from Air7 helicopter:
Munoz’s interviews with protesters have been incredible. Her understanding of and respect for the community made her coverage deeply informative, including her interviews with people who explain being “both” American and an immigrant or child of an immigrant.
Munoz described why people have told her they are there, noting that while they are concerned about protecting democracy and resisting autocracy, there was also a sense of community and joy.
"When this one started, we heard music. We heard drums. People were actually dancing as they were marching,” Munoz reported, summing up the celebratory and peaceful atmosphere of the protest.
Protesters were demonstrating against multiple issues, primarily Trump's immigration policies, which a protester described as "inhumane.” They objected to the deportation of long-term residents who pay taxes and have been in the country for decades with many signs reading: "No ICE in LA.”
They raised concerns about the United States sliding towards autocracy, as well as concerns about protecting democracy. They objected to Trump’s lawlessness and acting like a "king" with his military parade, ICE raids, power grabs, attacks on the courts, and militarizing LA. People said they want to “save our democracy" and prevent sliding "towards autocracy.”
Over and over again, people mentioned how what Trump is doing is “not right” and they feel compelled to speak up for others. One protester, a grandfather, said he and his family are against the Trump immigration policy, and he’s there to support his own family and others.
Protesters also raised socioeconomic issues including economic inequality, housing affordability, quality of life challenges and resource allocation.
People are handing each other water, being polite, saying, “Excuse me,” one protester told Munoz. He also said they were there to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.
The massive turnout is no doubt in part due to the ICE raids. In other locations like Long Beach and Santa Monica, they estimated around 1,000 people at each site, but the downtown LA protest was by far the largest with at least 100,000 people peacefully protesting.
“It’s electric… the vibes are 100,” a protester told Munoz.
As people have taken peacefully to the streets today, they are showing up and out with patriotic care for their communities and one another.
Watch the full live here (you will need to go back several hours now to see the No Kings coverage as this is a live broadcast).
What do you think of the peaceful protests? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The one I attended in our little town was amazing. More support from people driving thru ... a few flipped the bird from inside their cars ... but as cowards and bullies mostly do, none were really brave enough to confront anyone of us.
These protest gatherings are proof that many of our people in America are NOT SUPPORTIVE of Donald Trump's agenda. I believe there are many more people who feel this way yet for various reasons did not go out to attend protests in person. Democracy will not be defeated in America!