At least 1 arrest made after 'No Kings Day' protest in downtown LA
At least one person was arrested Saturday after a mostly peaceful "No Kings Day" demonstration intensified in downtown Los Angeles .
The Los Angeles Police Department has not released updated information on arrests, but new video obtained by Eyewitness News shows several people being detained and loaded onto buses.
On a day of nationwide protest, small crowds stuck around downtown as the night went on, prompting multiple dispersal orders from police.
Officers moved in on horseback near the Federal Building, pushing back the crowds.
Police said nearly 100 agitators walked toward Aliso and Alameda as some pointed lasers and flashing lights at officers and an LAPD pilot.
Besides the small group that ignored Saturday night's dispersal orders, it appeared the "No Kings Day" event went on without issue.
The march and demonstration drew thousands outside of City Hall in protest of President Donald Trump and his administration.
The event featured a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper, a large banner that read "No Kings for U.S.," and thousands of handmade signs as people marched down Spring Street.
The L.A. protest was organized by 50501 SoCal and Service Employees International Union Local 721, in partnership with Black Lives Matter Grassroots - Los Angeles, the Removal Coalition, Working Families Party, Black Women for Wellness, Clergy Laity United for Economic Justice, the TransLatin@ Coalition, Democracy Action Network, and the Human Liberation Coalition, among others.
SoCal 50501 is the L.A. chapter of the 50501 Group , which bills itself as "a peaceful, decentralized grassroots political movement with a mission to uphold democracy and constitutional governance." Its name stems from "50 protests. 50 states. 1 Movement."
"We're here to protest the abuse of power by this administration, the tyranny, the tyranny of the Trump administration," said Jane of Echo Park.
"I hope Republican and Democratic and Independent voters all come together and realize that they are terrorists," said Daniel, a fellow demonstrator.
"No Kings Day" protests happened all across the nation and throughout Southern California on Saturday.
Some demonstrators said their top concern is the recent wave of immigration enforcement operations.
"I can't go to Home Depot without fearing for my life now," said Javier Zumaeta of South Pasadena. "At any moment, we could get black-bagged. We're forced to carry around our passports now. We're not living in a free country anymore."
"It's really, really scary, seeing my innocent friends, family, and people that I know getting deported," said Vine Idehen of Riverside.
So far, there have been no reports of destruction due to the protests.
According to "No Kings" organizers, around 7 million people participated in Saturday's rallies.
This was the second "No Kings" protest and third mass movement against the administration this year, and it comes amid an intensifying conflict between federal law enforcement and protesters nationwide.
