The 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. Protesters numbered in the thousands. 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. The march put us 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.
