Demonstrators at Los Angeles' "No Kings" Rally Display Variety of Homemade Protest Artworks
Activists Take to the Streets in Massive "No Kings" Protest
Saturday saw hordes of demonstrators flooding the streets under the banner of "No Kings," orchestrated by the 50501 movement - a testament to "50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement."
With protests in approximately 2,000 communities nationwide, these events aimed to portray President Donald Trump as a monarch disregarding the U.S. Constitution and democratic norms. The rallies also called for an end to deportation raids and what the organizers asserted were excessive cuts to public services.
Protests erupted across Los Angeles, spanning neighborhoods like Beverly Hills, Studio City, Pasadena, South Bay, Woodland Hills, West Hollywood, and Los Feliz. However, the main congregation point was Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown, where a sea of protesters filled the verdant expanse from City Hall to Jerry Moss Plaza, flanking the Music Center and theaters.
Los Angeles' creative community was out in force, with numerous protesters showcasing their artistic talents through handcrafted signs and costumes. Members of the city's indigenous community could be seen weaving through the throng, with one woman offering sage to the crowd. Estimates put the attendance in Southern California at tens of thousands.
Energized protesters chanted and later marched down Hill Street from Grand Park to Pershing Square, the signs and costumes stealing the show. The displays ranged from clever wordplay and depictions of Donald Trump as a dictator, to profane messages calling for an end to ICE raids that had recently taken place within the city.
The city had become a hub of protests following federal workplace immigration raids that netted both immigrants with criminal records and those who were undocumented. Trump deployed the California National Guard and US Marines to quell protests, a move met with criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom for exceeding bounds and violating the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The "No Kings" website characterized Saturday's events as a "nationwide day of defiance." It also referenced the planned military parade set for the same day in Washington D.C. "Trump wants tanks in the street and a grand spectacle on his birthday," read a statement on the "No Kings" website. "A show designed to appear strong. But true power isn't present in Washington. It arises everywhere else."
U.S. flags were aplenty, given that the protest coincided with Flag Day, celebrated annually on June 14 to commemorate the U.S. flag. Mexican, El Salvadoran, and Guatemalan flags were also scattered among the sea of red, white, and blue. Here and there, the U.S. flag could be found upside down - a symbol traditionally used to signal distress amidst international hardship, but now associated with political protest.
"No Crown for the Clown" was a common theme in Los Angeles protests, accompanied by "No Kings in America, since 1776." This graphic was also available on the 50501 website, under the posters and graphics section.
Donning colonial attire and adorning their clothing with "Anti-Trump" emblems, some demonstrators took aim at the wealthy class (especially billionaires), with one sign proclaiming, "They blame immigrants so you won't blame billionaires." The rallying cry, "Eat the rich," could be seen on t-shirts and signs.
A gargantuan replica of the U.S. Constitution stood prominently in Grand Park, trailed by an extensive canvas where protesters could sign their names and jot comments. The sign was later raised and marching through Hill Street to Pershing Square.
The LGBTQ+ community made a strong presence, waving rainbow flags, capes, and signs. Parodies of royalty reigned among the most striking displays, with a sign reading, "No Kings, Only Queens," showcasing the legendary drag queen Divine sneering over her shoulder at a young Donald Trump and his first wife, Ivana Trump. An image digitally created years ago, this symbol of resistance caught the eyes of thousands.
A Bible passage could be spotted on at least one sign: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me," Matthew 25:35, referencing the welcoming of immigrants in contrast to anti-immigrant sentiment.
Insight: The 50501 movement was established in January 2025 as a grassroots response to policies considered authoritarian and undemocratic by many Americans2. Their "No Kings" protests aim to symbolize resistance against perceived authoritarianism, drawing attention to the President's actions while advocating for a return to democratic norms1.
Anti-Trump demonstrators, rallying under the 50501 movement, took to the streets of California, specifically Los Angeles, in a nationwide day of defiance on Flag Day. This protest, part of the "No Kings" event, targeted President Trump perceived authoritarianism and called for an end to deportation raids, excessive cuts to public services, and ICE raids. The creative community, indigenous groups, and LGBTQ+ community were among the protesters, expressing their discontent through artistic signs and symbols.
