The Brief

Tens of thousands of people joined yesterday's "No Kings" rally in downtown L.A. for hours of peaceful protest before police enforced a dispersal order around a federal building. The enforcement caused tense confrontations between protesters and law enforcement and police deployed less-lethal munitions and mounted units.

Dozens of arrests related to protest activity were made by police on Saturday, according to LAPD. In all, there were 35 arrests for curfew violation, one for failing to disperse, one for obstructing a police officer, and one for resisting arrest.

It’s unclear how many protesters may have been injured due to police tactics. The department said in an emailed update that three officers were injured.

An estimated 30,000 people demonstrated, according to L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

“I had the opportunity to go up in the helicopter with our Chief of Police and I went over all of the locations and every protest was peaceful, as was the one downtown,” Bass said in an interview with LAist media partner KCAL News.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell also told KCAL News that he was “disappointed” that there were some instances of violence later in the day.

“About mid-afternoon or so it got violent, when you had agitators in the group start assaulting officers with missiles, rocks, bottles, fireworks," McDonnell said.

The LAPD deployed munitions and mounted units.

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Spencer Platt

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Protesters face off with police outside of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles Saturday for an anti-Trump "No Kings Day" demonstration.

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Spencer Platt

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A curfew was in place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in certain areas of downtown, and officials said the curfew would probably last through the weekend.

What happened during the dispersal order?

Shortly before 4 p.m. on Saturday the LAPD had issued a dispersal order and told anyone remaining on Alameda Boulevard south of Aliso and north of Temple streets to "immediately leave the area." The area was also closed off to traffic.

Following the end of the organized march, some protesters gathered at the Federal Building on Temple Street and faced off with Marines standing guard. By the time the LAPD ordered people to leave, the scene had grown more chaotic as flash bangs were set off and mounted police pushed the crowd away.

Sergio Olmos, a reporter with LAist partner CalMatters, reported the LAPD was setting off tear gas at the site.

Bass said that the other side of the story was that police got rough with protesters first. She said “everything will be evaluated.”

The LAPD said there have been 561 arrests related to protest activity since last Saturday when demonstrators began hitting the streets in response to ICE sweeps in SoCal. The department said a dozen officers had been injured since then.

The scene earlier

Numerous "No Kings” demonstrations took place across the U.S., including in dozens of locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Thousands of people filled Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown L.A. in the morning, with more pouring into the space outside City Hall and spilling into nearby streets.

The atmosphere through much of the day was festive, with creative signs and music, the protesters made a big loop around downtown, walking down Broadway to 5th Street before circling back to City Hall.

The official protest was scheduled to end at 2 p.m. While many left after that time, some protesters moved to the Federal Building on Temple Street, where the federal detention center is located.

The building was the site of skirmishes between protestors and law enforcement last weekend. By Saturday afternoon, a line of Marines faced protestors. The mood appeared largely upbeat, but there have also been boos and chants of "shame" aimed at the Marines standing guard.

The "No Kings" rally in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.

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Etienne Laurent

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Many protestors were defending the constitution

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Earlier, while the message was serious, the vibe of the permitted demonstration was joyful, with minimum police presence.

John Perez, a former farmworker, was clear on why he came out. "Donald Trump cannot claim power that our Constitution does not give him," he said.

"For the military to be turned on its own people.... is just totally against everything this country stands for," he said. "We're the civilians, they are under our orders. He is breaking all the protocols of how civilian deployment should be happening in this country."

There was also plenty of art and live music, including a performance by long-time L.A. band Ozomatli from the bed of a truck.

"Art, music and culture is something that people can relate to," said Alex Favacho, a sound engineer for the band. "No matter the color of your skin, no matter the language you speak, it's universal."

Protestor Helen Taylor said the atmosphere was infectious. "It's almost like when you go to a concert, you know, when you just get so absorbed in the positivity of the community," she said.

See more of the eye-catching signs from marchers. Click here >

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What are the 'No Kings' protests?

Dubbed the “No Kings” protests, they're organized by 50501, a national group that stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. The group has staged protests regularly against the policies of the Trump administration. Officials said they're aware of at least 200 protests across California on Saturday, with at least 40 events across L.A. County.

Why Saturday?

Saturday is Flag Day, and Trump is hosting a military parade in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday.

June 14 is also Trump’s 79th birthday, which is why the protests are falling on that day, according to the "No Kings" website.

What law enforcement told protesters

Authorities had warned that anyone who engaged in violence or vandalism would be arrested this weekend at the rallies.

“ We will not allow violence, vandalism or threats to public safety to undermine the rights of those who are demonstrating lawfully," McDonnell said Friday.

The scene elsewhere in Southern California

One person attending the No Kings protest in Claremont today was Tony Baltierra, a 79 year old Vietnam veteran who's lived in the community since he was a kid.

He brought to the demonstration a homemade sign that nods to a recent nickname that has emerged from President Trump's on-again off-again tariff threats.

" I read in the paper that he was very annoyed when they were calling him, "taco" — Trump always chickens out," he said. "I played with it for a while, but I liked it."

Tony Baltierra and his "Don Taco" homemade sign

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Baltierra says he’s started going to protests a few months ago, and stepped it up over the past month. And he always invites his friends at the Claremont Senior Center to join him.

Meanwhile in Torrance, a protestor, who gave her name as Shelly, said thousands had turned up even before the event was due to start, despite Torrance being traditionally a Republican city. Her friend, Leah MacKinney-Buckley, had dressed up for the occasion.

Leah MacKinney-Buckley at the protest in Torrance

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In Laguna Woods, Karen Miller said along with the large crowd, there was a lot of honking from drivers and semi trucks driving past.

"The honking and the support of the people driving by is just exhilarating," she said. "I mean, it's very encouraging given that Orange County can be pretty red. [We're] just maybe feeling somewhat hopeful being out here."

Looking ahead

The protests come after a federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard and deployment in L.A. were illegal and violated the Constitution.

The judge ordered the troops to be brought back under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s control. However, an appeals court put that on hold until at least June 17, when a hearing on the matter is scheduled.

Local and state officials say Trump’s decision to deploy Marines and National Guard troops to L.A. in response to immigration enforcement protests have only fanned tensions and made things worse.

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How we're reporting this story

Jared Bennett and Robert Garrova are reporting from L.A. City Hall. Makenna Sievertson, Aiko Offner , Sharon McNary and Dañiel Martinez are making calls and contributing reporting. Josie Huang is LAist's Weekend Edition host, Suzanne Levy is writing and editing. Megan Garvey, Fiona Ng, and Tiffany Ujiiye are contributing editing.

This is a developing story. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources. Sometimes, however, we make mistakes and/or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium. 

“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.

Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.

More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. 

“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”

Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”

Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.

Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.

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In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers. 

“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.

The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants. 

In June, the team came under further scrutiny when rumors swirled online that federal immigration agents were using the stadium’s parking, which immigration authorities later denied in statements posted on social media accounts.

The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.

When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a  “slap in the face.” 

“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.

“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”

The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place. 

Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.

“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.

A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.

Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.

Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.

“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.

But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.

Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.

California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.

Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What can small businesses do? 

Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.

Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.

“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.

She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.

“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.

Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.

What’s next 

After READ Books posted about their situation on social media, commenters chimed in to express their outrage and love for the little shop.

While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.

Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.

Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.

By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.

When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.

“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.

“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”

Topline:

Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.

Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.

Near unanimous vote: L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.

Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.

How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.

Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.