La Streets Heat Up With 'No Kings' Rallies Against Trump’S Power Moves

SoCal Joins the Fight: 'No Kings' Protests Sweep the Nation

Get ready, LA - the second wave of 'No Kings' rallies is crashing down this Saturday, October 18, and it’s bringing some serious West Coast energy. Activists and advocacy groups are calling out what they see as straight-up abuse of power by President Donald Trump and his administration. From immigration crackdowns to sending troops into American cities, the list of grievances is long, and Angelenos are ready to make their voices heard.

Organizers are hyping up millions of participants nationwide, with over 2,600 events planned in major hubs like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Here in SoCal, expect the streets of Downtown LA and beyond to be packed with protesters channeling that fiery, summer-in-Malibu passion for justice. This follows a massive turnout in mid-June, and the momentum hasn’t slowed down one bit.

Who’s Behind the Movement?

This isn’t just a random gathering - it’s a coalition of heavy hitters like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Indivisible, and 50501, plus everyday volunteers stepping up. Deirdre Schifeling, the ACLU’s chief political and advocacy officer, dropped some real talk with ABC News, saying these protests are 'organized by regular people, by volunteers.' That grassroots vibe is pure LA - think Venice Beach boardwalk activism meets Hollywood red carpet buzz.

And speaking of buzz, there’s some serious star power backing this cause. Groups like Home of the Brave are shelling out a cool $1 million to spread the word through local and national ads, while celebs are getting in on the action too. It’s all about making sure this message hits harder than a Santa Ana wind.

'We’re out here for every family under attack, every voter silenced, and every community terrorized by this administration’s cruelty - it’s time to show up,' said a spokesperson for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee in a recent fundraising email.

Star Power and Street Power: Celebs Join the 'No Kings' Cause

Hollywood’s finest are stepping off the red carpet and into the streets for this one. A-listers like Jane Fonda, Kerry Washington, John Legend, Alan Cumming, and John Leguizamo are slated to show face, according to a fundraising email from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. They’re rallying for immigrant families, voters, and communities facing militarized policing - issues hitting close to home for many in LA.

The email laid it out plain and simple: this is about standing up for anyone whose rights are on the line under Trump’s watch. With celebs adding their star wattage, expect these rallies to shine brighter than the Hollywood sign on a clear night. It’s a reminder that in LA, activism and glamour often go hand in hand.

And it’s not just about show - law enforcement is on high alert, keeping tabs on social media and working with organizers to brace for massive crowds. With political events like this, especially in a city as charged as LA, safety concerns are real. But the focus remains on peaceful protest, with organizers stressing respect and nonviolence.

Republicans Clap Back: 'Hate America' or Justified Pushback?

Not everyone’s feeling the 'No Kings' vibe, though. Republicans are coming in hot, branding these rallies as 'Hate America' events and blaming them for stalling the federal government shutdown resolution. Senate Majority Leader John Thune claimed on Wednesday that Democrats are dragging their feet on funding issues just to hype up Saturday’s protests.

House Speaker Mike Johnson doubled down, telling reporters to watch out for what he calls the 'Hate America Rally.' He’s throwing out wild predictions about pro-Hamas supporters and Antifa showing up, though he’s got no receipts to back it up. Organizers are quick to shut that down, saying they can’t control random outsiders but are committed to keeping things peaceful - something LA knows a thing or two about after years of protests in places like Echo Park and Pershing Square.

Even Trump himself chimed in on Fox News with Maria Bartiromo, brushing off the 'king' label. Meanwhile, some GOP state leaders like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are beefing up law enforcement presence, which critics like State Rep. Gene Wu call a straight-up suppression tactic. Drama? Oh, it’s hotter than a July day in the Valley.

Organizers Fire Back: 'This Is as American as It Gets'

Protest organizers aren’t taking the GOP’s shade lying down. They’re pointing fingers right back, saying Republicans are the ones dragging out the shutdown mess. Leah Greenberg from Indivisible called out Johnson for dodging the actual name of the protest, saying on a press call that if you say 'No Kings,' their whole 'Hate America' argument crumbles like a cheap taco truck burrito.

Greenberg added that there’s nothing more American than rejecting kings and hitting the streets in peaceful protest - a sentiment that resonates hard in a city built on dreamers and doers. And when asked if the Republican rhetoric might scare folks away, organizers like Schifeling think it’ll do the opposite, firing up even more people to show out on Saturday.

Indivisible’s Ezra Levin told ABC News they’re almost welcoming the GOP’s publicity, even if it’s negative. He sees it as Trump and his crew scrambling to counter what could be the biggest peaceful protest in modern U.S. history. In LA, where activism is as much a part of the culture as surfing at Santa Monica, that’s a call to action no one’s ignoring.