Los Angeles’ ‘No Kings’ Rally Showcases Handmade Protest Art

Millions of protesters nationwide streamed through the streets on Saturday under the banner “No Kings,” organized by the 50501 movement—representing “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.”

Demonstrations were organized in about 2,000 communities across the country, designed to depict President Donald Trump as royalty who disregards the U.S. Constitution and violates democratic norms. The protests also called for the end to deportation raids and what organizers say are excessive cuts to government services.

Numerous protests were held throughout Los Angeles, including in Beverly Hills, Studio City, Pasadena, South Bay, Woodland Hills, West Hollywood and Los Feliz. But the main gathering spot was Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown, a grassy stretch that extends from Los Angeles City Hall to the Jerry Moss Plaza, between the Music Center and two theaters. The city’s creative community was out in full force, with numerous protestors displaying their artistic talents through handmade signs and costumes.

The city’s indigenous community wandered the grounds, one woman weaving between the crowd, saging protestors. All told, tens of thousands gathered in Southern California.

The energetic throngs chanted and later marched down Hill Street from Grand Park to Pershing Square. The signs and costumes were the real show, ranging from clever wordplay and depictions of President Donald Trump as a dictator, to profane expressions calling for an end to ICE raids that had been conducted in the city for about a week prior.

The city had become a hotbed of protests following federal workplace immigration raids that rounded up and detained immigrants who had committed crimes, as well as those who had not but were in the country illegally. Trump deployed the California National Guard and the US Marines to quell protests, a move decried by California Governor Gavin Newsom as overstepping bounds. Newsom also said the move violated the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The “No Kings” website termed the Saturday protests as a “nationwide day of defiance.” It also referenced the planned military parade scheduled for the same day in Washington D.C. “President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday,” read a statement on the “No Kings” website. “A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else.”

In downtown Los Angeles, U.S. flags were in abundance, as the protest coincided with Flag Day, held each year on June 14 in commemoration of the adoption of the U.S. flag. Some Mexican, El Salvadoran, and Guatemalan flags were also scattered among the crowd. Here and there, the U.S. flag was displayed upside down—a symbol that has become associated with political protest but is traditionally used internationally as a signal of distress and danger.

“No Crown for the Clown” was a popular signage theme in Los Angeles, along with “No Kings in America, since 1776,” a graphic that was also available on the 50501 website, under a posters and graphics link.

Some protesters wore Colonial-era clothing with “Anti-Trump” signs stitched on the back.

The wealthy class (especially billionaires) were clearly targeted, with one sign proclaiming, “They blame immigrants so you won’t blame billionaires.”

“Eat the rich” was another popular sentiment, appearing on t-shirts and signs.

A huge replica of the U.S. Constitution was displayed in Grand Park, trailed by a lengthy canvas where people could sign their names and add comments. The sign was later hoisted and carried along Hill Street to Pershing Square.

The LGBTQ+ community made a strong showing with rainbow flags, capes and signs. Riffs on royalty were among the standout themes, including a sign that read, “No Kings Only Queens,” depicting the legendary drag queen Divine, sneering over her shoulder at a young Donald Trump and his first wife, Ivana Trump. The popular image was digitally created many years ago. Another sign read, “No Kings, Yas Queens.”

At least one Bible passage was spotted on a sign: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” Matthew 25:35, referencing the welcoming of immigrants to the United States, in contrast to anti-immigrant sentiment.