Chants and flags rise above the crowd as protesters fill Downtown Los Angeles during the No Kings protest on Oct. 18. The march gathered to demand accountability from leaders and to push back against growing political control.
On Oct. 18, people of all ages gathered in Downtown Los Angeles for the No Kings protest. The First Amendment, the right to free speech, assembly and petition, gave the people of Los Angeles the power to stand up against corruption, authoritarian leadership and political silence. Within minutes, the streets were packed with music, chants, handmade signs and speakers calling for a change. The crowd had moved together in a mix of pride, unity and anger, turning protest into a display of democracy in action.
Julia Golia follows a chant during the No Kings protest on Oct. 18 in Los Angeles, Calif. They exercised their First Amendment by speaking against President Trump’s Administration. (Lauren Robinson)A young protester stands among demonstrators during the No Kings rally Oct. 18 in Los Angeles, Calif. “I hope to see more kids my age out here,” she said. (Lauren Robinson)Dandidi, dresses head to toe in sequins and stars, made a parody of Uncle Sam at the No Kings protest on Oct. 18 in Los Angeles, Calif. “Real patriotism means standing up to power,” Dandidi said. (Lauren Robinson)Natalie Dixon joins the downtown No Kings protest on Oct. 18 in Los Angeles, Calif. “I want to send a message that no one can scare us Black and brown people,” Dixon said. “I’m here because we need to stop this nightmare before it gets worse.” (Lauren Robinson)Outside City Hall, a protest drummer keeps the rhythm alive during the No Kings demonstration on Oct. 18 in Los Angeles, Calif. Each beat blended with chants that pushed the march forward. (Lauren Robinson)Framed by flags and sunlight, Manuel speaks about unity during the No Kings protest on Oct. 18 in Los Angeles, Calif. “I’m standing for the people who can’t always be out here themselves,” Manuel said. (Lauren Robinson)Bridget Smith joins the No Kings protest with her dogs Sheeba and Nabu riding alongside her on Oct. 18 in Los Angeles, Calif. “People need to see joy out here too,” Smith said. “That’s part of the resistance.” (Lauren Robinson)
