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 .
Trump protesters march in downtown LA, prepare for Women's March
Anti-Donald Trump protesters demonstrate on Inauguration Day, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017.
(
Courtesy of Jonas Anderson
)
Hundreds of demonstrators braved the rain Friday to rally in downtown Los Angeles in protest of newly sworn-in President Donald Trump.
One group of protesters came from Boyle Heights, the other from the direction of the Staples Center. Both groups converged in front of L.A. City Hall on Friday afternoon.
Eagle Rock resident Jonas Anderson joined the protest after getting off work.
"He's president, he's our man — so at this point I have no choice but to hold his feet to the fire and fight in any way possible, within the bounds of law," Anderson told KPCC.
Sponsor
LAPD officers were on hand to monitor events, but Anderson said they weren't carrying batons or wearing riot gear. As of Friday afternoon, no arrests were made and no violence was reported.
Up to 150,000 people are expected to converge on downtown L.A. Saturday morning for the Women's March L.A. Organizers say the event's meant to "unify communities" and make a stand for human rights.
It's one of roughly 200 Women's Marches taking place across the country, including what's expected to be a large demonstration in Washington, D.C.
Deena Katz, co-chair of the march in L.A., told KPCC that she was headed to D.C. — but then she had a better idea.
"And then I took a beat and I was like, 'You know I'm gonna spend $8,000 to fly everybody in — Planned Parenthood, ACLU, all these places need this money more," Katz said. "And then in the next breath I was like, 'Y'know what would be amazing is if we did one here.'"
About five dozen celebrities — including Barbara Streisand, Natalie Portman, Kerry Washington and Laverne Cox — are expected to attend.
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.
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.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
