In brief
This weekend, thousands engaged in 'No Kings' rallies across the United States and Europe to protest President Trump's actions and the war in Iran. While many events were peaceful, tensions rose in cities like Los Angeles where police clashed with protesters, resulting in arrests and the use of tear gas. Organizers reported a significant turnout, with estimates indicating over eight million participants nationwide, despite some violent incidents involving protesters throwing objects at law enforcement.
Authorities in Los Angeles deployed tear gas near a federal detention center and made dozens of arrests following one of thousands of 'No Kings' rallies held this weekend across the United States and in Europe to protest President Donald Trump's actions and the war in Iran. Los Angeles police reported that 74 people were arrested for failing to heed a dispersal order after Saturday's rally concluded. Among those detained was an individual suspected of possessing a weapon described as a dagger. Despite the arrests, the protests largely remained peaceful. Organizers indicated that there were more than 3,100 rallies registered in all 50 U.S. states, drawing participants from a diverse range of communities. During the Los Angeles protest, groups of demonstrators reportedly threw rocks, bottles, and broken concrete blocks at officers, prompting a response from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Two officers were reportedly injured and required medical attention. Andre Andrews Jr., a veteran and independent journalist, documented the event and noted that tear gas was used after protesters defied police orders. Some rally attendees retaliated by tossing back the canisters and smashing concrete barriers to throw at law enforcement. Does it make L.A. look bad? No. They're bad actors causing problems, for sure, Andrews commented. He commended the peaceful aspect of the protest while condemning the actions of those inciting violence. Overall, the demographic of individuals arrested included notably eight juveniles, and a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty was also taken into custody while joking with an officer. In Denver, police declared an unlawful assembly after protesters blocked a road, leading to eight arrests. However, nationwide, rallies occurred from urban centers in blue states like New York to smaller towns in traditionally red states, signaling a broad dissatisfaction with Trump’s administration. The events, described by Indivisible co-executive director Ezra Levin as powerful and historic, drew an estimated eight million participants across the country, reflecting a significant grassroots mobilization against current policies.
