Trojans turn out for No Kings protest
The demonstration brought thousands of protesters to downtown Los Angeles.
By FRANCO GUTIERREZ
On Saturday, millions of protesters worldwide congregated in the streets of their cities for “No Kings” protests, decrying authoritarianism as well as President Donald Trump’s policies and actions.
In downtown Los Angeles, on the steps of the L.A. City Hall, thousands of protesters gathered with signs, flags and costumes to bring attention to their causes. Workers’ unions passed out flyers, environmentalists in taco costumes picked up trash and dancers in traditional Indigenous clothing performed to a drumbeat.
One of the organizations responsible for the downtown march, the Democracy Action Network, had its table set up alongside medical tents, hot dog carts, and vendors selling flags, bandanas and signs.
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Nicole Edry, the action and organizing committee lead for DAN, said there were at least 25 to 30 groups present, and that the protest had been in the works for months.
“When history looks back at this, we want to show that it wasn’t just silence as our rights got eroded, as the [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] raids continued, as the indignities continued, as due process was denied,” Edry said. “We, the people, spoke up with one voice with peaceful protests and the power of resistance and our basic rights and [the] First Amendment.”
Past the incense, inflatable costumes of the nude birthday drawing that Donald Trump allegedly gifted to Jeffery Epstein in 2003 and a couch graffitied with the words “JD Wuz Here,” the protesters gathered on Spring Street to begin their march.
A man came to the protest in an inflatable costume of the nude birthday drawing that President Donald Trump allegedly gave to Jeffery Epstein in 2003, first reported by The Wall Street Journal. (Franco Gutierrez / Daily Trojan)
Unlike the “ICE Out of L.A.” protest in June, there was little to no police presence to cordon off the demonstration route during the afternoon. Live music played from the backs of flatbeds, trucks handed out bottles of water to the protesters and boxes of free items like moisturizer were left out for the crowd.
Amid a two-story-tall parade float of an infant Trump, stilt performers and actor Pedro Pascal, Trojans in cardinal-and-gold hats and shirts were mixed into the crowd.
Joseph Davey, a junior majoring in philosophy, politics and economics who attended the march, said he attended because he’s “always loved protests.”
“People being given the option to go out, voice their opinions against things that they think are horrible and disgusting that are happening in our world and country …” Davey said. “All of [the Trump administration’s] problems and the injustices we see our own country supporting at this very moment. I think it’s just great to see the reaction that we got today.”
Davey said he agreed with the University’s decision to reject Trump’s Compact for Excellence in Higher Education on Thursday, saying there should be “more standing up to the bullying and stupidity [of] Donald Trump.”
The White House sent the compact to USC and eight other universities at the beginning of October. The compact proposed an arrangement with universities agreeing to a list of demands in exchange for preferential federal funding among other benefits.
Olivia Kaplan, a USC alum, also said she was glad USC did not sign the compact.
“I am so relieved and so happy, and that’s why I’m so proud to wear USC colors today,” Kaplan said.
A couch was graffitied with the words “JD Wuz Here,” referencing the viral meme last August of the vice president having sex with a couch, which was later proven false. (Franco Gutierrez / Daily Trojan)
Helen Doremus, co-lead of the media and communications committee for DAN, said the organization’s goal with the protest was to “project an image of unity” and influence legislators.
“We’re showing that we’re refusing to be cowed by all the folks who would like us to just sit down, shut up and disappear,” Doremus said. “It’s as much about reaffirming community to each other as it is projecting the image of a movement that is growing in the United States.”
On the same day, the Marine Corps fired artillery north of San Diego from Camp Pendleton in a military demonstration during Vice President JD Vance’s visit, leading state officials to close portions of the I-5 highway, citing “safety concerns.” Doremus said the military demonstration was an “enormous waste of money.”
“[The] military is taught that they are here to protect civilians against foreign invaders,” Doremus said. “The implication that they could police the civilian population, I think, is incredibly demoralizing.”
Edry encouraged people to be active in their communities, if they couldn’t act politically.
“Just turn up and support your neighbor,” Edry said. “Help the local business owner. Maybe help an immigrant-owned business that’s suffering right now. Offer some child care for them. Help them run errands. Just be there for your fellow man or fellow person.”
Kaplan said she was passionate about democracy and wanted to represent millennials at the rally. She said she believed Generation Z is more politically active than millennials, who were “lacking” at protests.
“I hope that Trump and [Homeland Security Advisor] Stephen Miller see all the people out here who aren’t afraid to stand up for our rights and stand up for democracy,” Kirby said. “I hope that the more we protest, the more we stand up for ourselves, the more they back down.”
Between posters of individuals targeted by ICE and the police, graffiti reading “kill the king,” and a coterie of assorted inflatable creature costumes, the march came to a close in front of City Hall at 4 p.m.
