Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, right, takes a photo with actor Pedro Pascal Oct. 18 during a No Kings Day protest at Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. More than 10,000 people gathered for the protest, which was one of 300 held in California. See story on page 2.
Photo by Solomon O. Smith
By Solomon O. Smith
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — Tens of thousands of protesters gathered on Oct 18 for the No Kings rally, a march occurring simultaneously in cities across California and in all 50 states. Organizers say the protests were organized in opposition to what they say is the growing authoritarianism of the Trump administration.
Beginning at 2 p.m., the Los Angeles protest distinguished itself from typical political demonstrations. While addressing serious issues, the march carried the festive energy of a carnival or block party.
People dressed in inflatable costumes, frog masks, and elaborate outfits carrying American flags marched through Gloria Molina Grand Park. The playful attire reflected the tone of a peaceful protest — a stark contrast to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s characterization of the event as a “hate America rally,” according to CNN
One costumed supporter, Nikki Hoobler, explained why she wore her inflatable suit.
“It proves the point, this is a fun protest,” Hoobler said. “It fights their narrative.”
A crowdsourced study by the Atlanta newsroom The Xylom estimated that between 4.2 million and 7 million people participated nationwide. In downtown Los Angeles alone, thousands gathered, with roughly 30 rallies in Los Angeles County and 300 across the state, according to Hunter Dunn, press and public relations director for California’s 50501 SoCal, the organization behind the events.
Before the protests, the city’s attorney’s office asked that an injunction on using excessive force against journalists be lifted. The City Council voted unanimously to withdraw the request, according to an article by Los Angeles Public Press.
At the protests, Dunn remained concerned about police violence.
“We see the LAPD trying to get permission to shoot at journalists with rubber bullets, trying to revoke the press pass protections,” Dunn said. “We’re not seeing a good-faith attempt from law enforcement to protect this community.”
The day’s main focus was support for Proposition 50, the November ballot initiative that would temporarily redraw California’s congressional districts to favor Democrats in the 2026 U.S. House midterm elections.
Supporters of the proposal say it is being pursued in response to gerrymandering efforts in Texas designed to create more Republican- friendly districts before the midterm elections.
At the rally, Black Lives Matter supporters, Democratic Socialists of America, and the United Teachers Los Angeles were just a few organizations with vendor tables or handing out pamphlets — all asking for support of Proposition 50.
Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, D-Culver City, spoke about fighting oppression.
“We are tired of starving while the federal government continues to give handouts to billionaires and corporations,” Bryan said. “And that’s why we’re showing up and we’re marching, because Washington, D.C. doesn’t care about us. And we know that.”
Melina Abdullah, a founding member of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, and a professor and activist participated, too.
Politicians and political activists were not the only people to come to the No Kings protest in Los Angeles. Hollywood personality Pedro Pascal, who played Reed Richards in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” stood in the crowd listening to speakers. He took a photo with Bryan.
Pascal is known for supporting workers’ rights, unions and Palestinians in Gaza.
Educator and principal of Armstrong Middle School, Lester Powell, was at the protest with his son, Alex. Powell has a doctorate in education and goes to protests in support of his students who he says are newly “invigorated” and ready to get involved.
Sylvia Coleman is from Belize but has just become a naturalized U.S. citizen. Coleman says she participated because she believes that people should stand up for those who cannot defend themselves.
“I have choices, I have a home that I can go back to, but my husband and son are here,” said Coleman. “It’s important that I stand up for people who do not have the same choices.”
“America has no kings and working Americans will not stand by as a wannabe dictator wages war on our rights and our democracy,” said David Green, president and executive director of SEIU Local 721, which represents more than 100,000 workers.
“Enough is enough. We will stop this authoritarianism in its tracks and work to revitalize and enhance our democracy, our rights, and our nation. We will not accept a regime that aims to put the interests of billionaires ahead of our families, workers and communities,” he added.
At least one person was arrested after the largely peaceful demonstration morphed into a raucous rally against Trump administration immigration policies outside the Metropolitan Detention Center on Alameda Street that was ultimately declared an unlawful gathering, according to media reports.
A group of about two dozen people could be seen on broadcast video as officers first pushed them away from the detention center into Chinatown, then backed off to encourage them to disperse.
LAPD Officer Drake Madison told City News Service some projectiles were initially thrown.
Police on horseback and teargas were ultimately used to clear the crowd after multiple dispersal orders were ignored.
The Los Angeles Police Department subsequently closed Alameda Street, between Aliso and Temple streets.
“After thousands of people gathered to express their constitutional 1st Amendment rights peacefully earlier in the day, nearly a hundred agitators marched over to Aliso and Alameda,” LAPD officials posted on X. “During the demonstration at that specific location, lasers and industrial size flashing lights (constant and strobe) were used against officers and the pilot of an LAPD Airship.”
Solomon O. Smith is a reporter for California Black Media. City News Service also contributed to this story.
