Police disperse "No Kings" protesters in downtown L.A.
Los Angeles police issued a dispersal order on Saturday afternoon for "No Kings" protesters after the crowd allegedly started throwing objects at officers near the downtown federal building.
While the demonstration was largely peaceful throughout the day, Los Angeles Police Department officers said "people in the crowd are throwing rocks, bricks, bottles and other objects" when the march passed by the .
LAPD also closed all 101 Freeway on ramps and off ramps between Alameda Street and the 110 Freeway.
Police deployed smoke and flash-bangs while moving the crowd away from the federal building. Aerial footage shows officers detaining several people.
Witnesses said protesters continued to throw objects at law enforcement after being pushed to the heart of downtown L.A., near the Civic Center.
No Kings Day of Defiance protests
Tens of thousands of people participated in dozens of "No Kings" protests in downtown Los Angeles and throughout Southern California to join a coalition of activists across the country demonstrating "in defiance" of President Trump.
"No Kings Day of Defiance," a nationwide series of protests scheduled for Saturday, was planned as a counter to the military parade taking place in Washington, D.C., on the same day. That parade is being held in honor of the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, which coincides with Mr. Trump's 79th birthday.
"On June 14—Flag Day—President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday," . "A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else."
Hundreds of these protests are planned across the country, including in all major U.S. cities. They were scheduled before the ICE protests throughout L.A. that began last weekend.
During a news conference on Saturday morning, Mayor Karen Bass pleaded with protesters to keep things nonviolent.
"Please, please do not give the [Trump] administration an excuse to intervene," Bass said. "Let's make sure to show the world the best of Los Angeles and our country."
The organizers of the event said the nationwide demonstration were peaceful.
"Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don't do kings," the event's organizers said in a statement.
The Los Angeles Police Department repeatedly called the downtown L.A. march peaceful in .
What's happening in Los Angeles
Dozens of marches were scheduled in Southern California alone, each with its own size and scope. Many are scheduled in the L.A. area, including Santa Monica, Glendale, Long Beach and West Hollywood.
Organizers said the gathering in downtown L.A. was expected to draw as many as 25,000. It was scheduled from 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., but many protesters stayed longer.
Law enforcement was expected to have a large presence. Since last weekend, troops with the National Guard have been deployed to L.A., where they've been ordered to protect federal buildings and personnel. On Friday, about 200 U.S. Marines were deployed for the same purpose.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said during the Saturday morning news conference that the LAPD was prepared to handle the protests.
The downtown curfew instated by Mayor Bass on Tuesday remains in effect. Starting at 8 p.m., no one is allowed within a one-square-mile zone within downtown L.A. until 6 a.m. Sunday, with some exceptions. Bass said Saturday morning that hundreds of additional law enforcement officers will be in place to enforce the curfew following the "No Kings" protest.
Mounting tensions
At around 7 a.m. in downtown, CBS News Los Angeles crews spotted several businesses boarding up storefronts in preparation for the protest. "Nonviolent action" is listed as a core principle of the "No Kings" protests, according to the organizers.
Starting last week, protests against immigration enforcement operations broke out throughout L.A., leading to a national controversy as Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Trump sparred over the response.
Newsom filed a lawsuit against Mr. Trump on Monday, asking a judge to "prevent the use of federalized National Guard and active duty Marines for law enforcement purposes on the streets of a civilian city." On Tuesday, a judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order and instead scheduled a court hearing for Thursday, giving Mr. Trump's legal team time to respond.
Mr. Trump has defended the decision to send military forces to L.A. by citing "incompetence" in local and state leaders, namely Bass and Newsom.
In a on Wednesday morning, Mr. Trump said, "The INCOMPETENT Governor of California was unable to provide protection in a timely manner when our ICE Officers, GREAT Patriots they are, were attacked by an out of control mob of agitators, troublemakers, and/or insurrectionists. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
More "No Kings" protests across Southern California
Outside of downtown L.A., demonstrators gathered for other "No Kings" protests in 20 other neighborhoods and cities throughout the county.
Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian thanked protesters for remaining peaceful.
"As we conclude our demonstration, we thank the public for their peaceful assembly and cooperation. Please have a safe night," Derderian wrote.
Protesters organized 22 other demonstrations throughout Ventura County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.
The event organizers said the nationwide protest took place in more than 2,100 cities and towns and drew more than 5 million participants.
"We don't do kings in this country. We do solidarity. We do community. We do justice—and we do it together," they said in a statement.
