The downtown Los Angeles Hands Off protest began with a rally at Pershing Square. The speakers, which included an Indigenous woman who identified the area as Yangna, were very hard to see through the massive crowd. The number of protesters was eventually said to be in the tens of thousands--maybe even 100,000. There seemed to be more middle-aged and elderly participants than at past downtown protests (e.g., marches against invading Iraq and the Women’s Marches). Signs addressed diverse issues—including LGBTQ+ rights, the future of democracy, health care, Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Canada, AIPAC, national parks, environment, Black Live Matter, women’s right to choose. As one sign said, “So many issues, so little cardboard.”
The march then took us down Broadway to Grand Park and City Hall. We were on public display in and around Grand Central Market, where we received some positive feedback. Later, as Hill was reopening to traffic, motorists could see many protesters in Grand Park. Some participants continued displaying their signs during their long walks back to their modes of transportation.
Story and photos: Hands Off Our Democracy Mr. Trump! Photo Set 1 | Photo Set 2 | | Photo Set 3 | Photo Set 5 | Photo Set 6 by Robert Stuart Lowden
More story, photos and video: Hands Off Los Angeles by Participant
Meanwhile, in Santa Ana, a somewhat more moderate and less ethnically-diverse crowd protested Tr*mp-Musk-DOGE overreach with oven clever signs. There was also emphasis on an unsatisfactory pro-Tr*mp congressperson, Young Kim, of district 40 (see Set 2 below).
Story and photos: Hands Off OC in Santa Ana and Hands Off OC in Santa Ana Set 2: Elections Hands Off OC in Santa Ana Set 3 by Johnk
Coverage of the many events in San Francisco and surrounding areas can be found on IndyBay
Hands Off Los Angeles & Santa Ana