Hundreds crowded the intersection of Figueroa and York on No Kings Day 2025. The event was well underway long before the official start time of 6pm, and the cheering and shouting could be heard from blocks away. With entertainment provided on a portable stage and an extremely enthusiastic and demonstrative crowd (and passing motorists), the event seemed as much a concert or party as a political demonstration.

The Veteran’s Memorial at Figueroa and York was, for seven years, the site of a weekly peace vigil (a response to U.S. aggression in Iraq and Afghanistan circa the early 2000s). And while some veterans participated then, others did not appreciate anti-war activity at that location. In this case, however, veterans co-organized the event and participated (along with Indigenous Elders, the Highland Park Community, and Indivisible.org). The gathering went on for many hours, continuing into the night.