Thousands of demonstrators participated in "No Kings" rallies across Los Angeles County and Southern California on Saturday, urging voter participation ahead of the November 3 election. The nonpartisan movement, now in its fourth iteration, aims to empower citizens by ensuring they have plans and knowledge to cast their ballots effectively.
In the South Bay, approximately 50 protesters marched along the boardwalk connecting Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach, their calls to "VOTE!" echoing amidst typical beach activities. This national movement has previously organized events to protest former President Trump, Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, the war in Iran, and rising prices for gas and food.
According to the No Kings coalition's website, "No Kings: Vote Early is the next step of reclaiming our power after a year of mass mobilizations." The organization emphasizes the event as a day for community building and ensuring every eligible voter is prepared to participate.
A temporary disruption occurred when the No Kings coalition's main Instagram accounts were frozen and inaccessible for nearly two hours on Saturday, the day of the national action. The coalition stated on its website that administrators lost access during a critical period. The accounts were later restored. Meta Platforms Inc., the owner of Instagram, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Numerous rallies and marches were scheduled throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. In downtown Los Angeles, a gathering commenced at Gloria Molina Grand Park at 1 p.m. and was expected to continue until 5:30 p.m. The Los Angeles Police Department issued advisories regarding potential traffic disruptions due to the unpermitted nature of some events, cautioning residents about specific streets in the downtown area.
