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“No Kings” Protests Erupt in Los Angeles: Tear Gas, Arrests, and National Outrage
Police deploy tear gas and flash-bangs as anti-Trump “No Kings” protesters flood downtown Los Angeles.
sean h
June 15, 2025
🪧 A Peaceful Protest Turns Volatile
Organizers had planned the Los Angeles march as part of a national response to President Trump’s military parade in Washington D.C.—an event timed to both Flag Day and Trump’s 79th birthday.
Early in the day, more than 25,000 protesters packed downtown streets waving signs, chanting slogans like “No kings, no tanks!” and demanding justice, immigration reform, and the protection of democratic values. ✊📣
But just after 1:30 p.m., tensions flared. According to the LAPD, objects including rocks, bricks, and fireworks were thrown as the protest passed near the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building.
🚨 Tear Gas, Smoke, and Detentions
Police issued a dispersal order and began pushing crowds westward. Officers deployed tear gas and flash-bangs as helicopters circled overhead. Multiple protesters were detained. 💣👮
Sheriff Robert Luna defended the police response:
“Our officers are only using less-lethal force when they’re under direct attack. It’s not indiscriminate—there were fireworks, even Molotov cocktails thrown.”
But many on the ground told a different story.
“They came in masked, aggressive, and without warning,” said one protester. “People were running, coughing, terrified. This isn’t public safety—it’s suppression.”
🕗 Curfew in Effect
In response, Mayor Karen Bass reinforced a strict curfew:
📍 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. within a one-square-mile zone downtown.
“Protest is a vital part of our democracy,” Bass said. “But once it turns violent, we must restore order. Those inciting chaos will be held accountable.” 🧑⚖️
Since Friday, more than 200 U.S. Marines and National Guard troops have been stationed around federal sites in Los Angeles.
🌍 A Nationwide Day of Defiance
The “No Kings” protest wasn't just local—it was everywhere. Organizers say over 5 million people in more than 2,100 towns and cities joined the movement on Saturday.🔥
“Real power doesn’t come from tanks in Washington,” organizers said in a statement. “It rises from the streets—in red states, blue states, everywhere.”
The protests were designed to counter what they describe as Trump’s "authoritarian spectacle." The President's D.C. parade featured tanks, fighter jets, and military salutes to coincide with his birthday. Critics say it resembled a strongman celebration more than a patriotic tribute.
📍 Across Southern California
Outside of downtown L.A., 22 more protests took place across the region—from Santa Monica to Long Beach, Studio City to Pasadena. While some remained peaceful, tensions were high.
In Pasadena, officials thanked demonstrators for staying nonviolent:
“We appreciate everyone who assembled peacefully and cooperatively. Stay safe,” said city spokesperson Lisa Derderian.
⚖️ Legal Fights and Federal Force
The unrest follows a week of legal sparring between Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Trump over immigration raids and the use of federal troops in California.
Newsom sued the administration, attempting to block the deployment of Marines and National Guard troops in civilian law enforcement roles. A federal judge denied the emergency order, and a full hearing is set for Thursday. ⚖️📄
Trump responded with a fiery post on Truth Social:
“The INCOMPETENT Governor of California failed to protect our ICE agents. Thank God for the Marines. These agitators must be stopped.” 🛑
💬 “No Kings” Organizers Remain Defiant
Despite the police crackdown, protest leaders say they won’t back down.
“This movement is about rejecting authoritarianism,” said Hunter Dunn, a spokesperson for the group. “We don’t do kings in this country—we do community, solidarity, and justice.”
While law enforcement claimed violence escalated in the afternoon, the group insists the official march ended peacefully earlier in the day—and that those remaining were engaging in nonviolent protest.
👀 What’s Next?
Mayor Bass has called for calm and restraint. Protesters vow to continue organizing. And with legal rulings looming and military forces still stationed in the city, Los Angeles remains a city in suspense.
As one protester said:
“We’re not done. This isn’t just about Trump. It’s about making sure we never normalize kings in a democracy.”
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