With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: Largest Anti-Trump Protest Yet Swarms In Downtown L.A. For Fifth Day
Anti-trump demonstrators march east towards downtown L.A., from MacArthur Park. (Julia Wick/LAist)
()
An enormous gathering of more than 8,000 people expressing their disapproval of President-Elect Donald Trump have taken to the streets of downtown Los Angeles. The thousands of people began gathering this morning in MacArthur Park at around 10:00 a.m. Soon after, the march began walking east towards downtown Los Angeles on Wilshire Boulevard. By 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, the protest has begun circling through downtown Los Angeles' streets.
Wick reports that the gathering is a largely peaceful assembly of Angelenos from different backgrounds, many of whom have brought their kids along for a taste of their first amendment right to peaceful assembly.
The march was organized the group Union del Barrio, a political organizing group that aims to increase political literacy in America's growing Latinix community. Several groups—International Action Center, different MEChA groups from various campuses (including UCLA), union group SEIU Local 721, SWANA-LA, and Black Matters (not to be confused with Black Lives Matters) and others—also announced that they are working with Union del Barrio to organize Saturday's march.
"One of the objectives is to organize," said Ron Gochez, an organizer with Union del Barrios, to LAist. "We're saying that, if you're really concerned, you have to be a participant in some active way. If you show up and don't belong to an organization, hopefully you'll join something [at the event]."
Support for LAist comes from
The mood at the Saturday protest was broadly one of disgust with the election of Donald Trump, mixed with anxiety about what a Trump administration could mean.
"I'm a victim of sexual assault. My sister was a victim assault. My father is gay. My mother is a cancer patient, she relies on Obamacare for her life. I'm here representing my entire family. We're fighting against anybody who gives blessing to this being okay," explained Brittany Fontaine, a 29-year-old special effects makeup artist.
"I'm scared because some of my family is living here from Mexico, and I don't want them to have to go back," said a 10-year-old girl named Madyson.
Here are some photos from today's march:
()
Support for LAist comes from
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
Support for LAist comes from
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
Support for LAist comes from
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
()
()
(Julia Wick/LAist)
Additional reporting by Julia Wick.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist