Thousands of Southern Californians are expected to turn out for a third wave of No Kings protests on Saturday, March 28, to protest President Donald Trump’s continuing aggressive immigration crackdown, the war with Iran, and other issues.
This new round of protests comes amid a partial government shutdown, causing long airport security lines, and Trump’s approval rating hitting a new low of 36%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, marked by widespread disapproval of the war Trump waged against Iran and a sharp uptick in fuel prices.
“We will come together to show that our communities reject corruption, senseless war, and division,” said Katie Bethell, an executive director with MoveOn, a progressive public policy advocacy group and political action committee. “Instead we welcome immigrants, believe in the rule of law, and stand up for an economy that works for everyone. More of us than ever before will rise up, because America does not belong to strongmen or those who rule through fear. It belongs to us, the people.”
For 30-year-old mechanical engineer Oscar Sevilla, Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown is personal, and it’s part of what motivated him to attend the first and second No Kings protests, and now a third. The Long Beach local comes from an immigrant family and feels that the stakes holding up democracy are flimsier now as the third wave of No Kings protests approaches.
“Things were simmering at first, now it’s like the lid is about to blast off. … I still believe this country could be better, where the American dream could be real… not according to who has money, who has power,” Sevilla said.
Thousands of No Kings protests are scheduled across the country for the third time, including dozens in Southern California:
Downtown Los Angeles: Gloria Molina Grand Park 2-5:30 p.m. 200 N Spring St
Pasadena: Pasadena City College 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 1570 E Colorado Boulevard
Whittier: 2:30-4:30 p.m. At the intersection of SE Whittier Boulevard and Painter Avenue
Sherman Oaks: 4-6 p.m. At the intersection of Sepulveda and Ventura Boulevards
Long Beach: 12-2 p.m. At the intersection of East Ocean Boulevard and Temple Avenue
Torrance: Torrance City Hall 10:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m. 3031 Torrance Boulevard
Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach Pier 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 325 Pacific Coast Highway
Orange: Yorba Park 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 190 S Yorba Street
Santa Ana: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. At the intersection of South Bristol Street and West MacArthur Boulevard
Anaheim: La Palma Park 2-5 p.m. 1151 N La Palma Parkway
Riverside: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. At the intersection of Market Street and University Avenue
Corona: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1151 E Ontario Avenue
Temecula: Temecula Duck Pond 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 28250 Ynez Road
San Bernardino: San Bernardino City Hall 12:30-3 p.m. 290 N D Street
Rancho Cucamonga: 11 a.m.-1.p.m. At the intersection of Haven and Foothill Boulevards
Redlands: Peace Corner 10 a.m.-12 p.m. W Redlands Boulevard and Orange Street
Crestline: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Lake Drive across from Goodwin’s
Find the rest of the locations on this online map.
The first No Kings protest back in June coincided with a military parade the Trump administration organized on Flag Day in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday. It also fell on president Trump’s birthday.
In downtown Los Angeles last June, thousands of Southern Californians turned out for the first No Kings protest, which was peaceful for several hours but turned chaotic after tensions rose between police and protesters. Some protesters reportedly threw rocks, bottles, and fireworks at police while officers issued a dispersal order and unleashed flash-bang grenades, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters at the crowd, leaving some seriously wounded.
Law enforcement agencies will be on alert around this Saturday’s No Kings protests.
“We are aware of a planned demonstration this weekend. While we encourage our community to safely and peacefully exercise your First Amendment rights, we remind everyone that criminal activity will not be tolerated. Anyone engaging in unlawful activity, including vandalism, destruction of property, or assault, will be held accountable,” said Sgt Gerard McCann, an Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson, in a written statement. “The Sheriff’s Department has dedicated resources to Saturday’s demonstration to ensure it remains safe and lawful.”
When asked for a comment on how the Los Angeles Police Department will help maintain public safety surrounding Saturday’s events, the department said in an email, “Should anything arise we have sufficient resources to respond.”
“The Long Beach Police Department is aware of planned First Amendment activity this Saturday, March 28. The LBPD is here to help facilitate peaceful First Amendment Activity and cares about the safety of our community and protestors alike. If you are participating in a demonstration, please abide by all traffic laws. Criminal activity and violence will not be tolerated,” said Jordan McGinley, an LBPD spokesperson.
“There is irony in calling it a No Kings Rally, as if Donald Trump created federal immigration laws. He did not. Congress passed our current laws, and enforcing them is not the acts of a King, they are what you do when you are the elected President,” said Jon Fleischman, a former executive director of the California Republican Party.