Dispersal orders issued hours after thousands gathered for ‘No Kings’ protest in downtown Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — On a day of nationwide protest, small crowds stuck around well into the night in downtown Los Angeles. After multiple orders to disperse, police moved in and made arrests.

It came hours after thousands of protesters took to the streets for a “No Kings” demonstration.

After the peaceful event, things grew more tense after dark as most of the “No Kings” protesters left. Los Angeles police formed a skirmish line, and two dispersal orders were issued.

After the dispersal orders, police warned those who didn’t leave that they may be arrested, and at least one person was taken into custody.

Officers moved in on horseback near the Federal Building in downtown L.A., pushing the crowd back. It was the same site of some of the more violent clashes with police that happened at demonstrations back in June.

Authorities say nearly 100 agitators walked toward Aliso and Alameda, and during that demonstration, some used lasers and flashing lights against officers and an LAPD pilot. At least one person was arrested.

Besides the small group that refused to leave after the dispersal orders, it appeared the “No Kings” event went on without issue.

The march and demonstration drew thousands outside of City Hall in protest of President Donald Trump and his administration.

The event featured a 20-foot-tall balloon of President Donald Trump wearing a diaper, a 20-foot-wide by 3-foot-tall banner that read “No Kings for U.S.,” and thousands of handmade signs by participants as they marched along a nearly two-mile stretch down Spring Street.

The L.A. protest was organized by 50501 SoCal and Service Employees International Union Local 721, in partnership with Black Lives Matter Grassroots – Los Angeles, the Removal Coalition, Working Families Party, Black Women for Wellness, Clergy Laity United for Economic Justice, the TransLatin@ Coalition, Democracy Action Network, and the Human Liberation Coalition, among others.

SoCal 50501 is the Los Angeles chapter of the 50501 Group, which bills itself as “a peaceful, decentralized grassroots political movement with a mission to uphold democracy and constitutional governance.” Its name stems from “50 protests. 50 states. 1 Movement.”

“We’re here to protest the abuse of power by this administration, the tyranny, the tyranny of the Trump administration,” said Jane from Echo Park.

“I hope Republican and Democratic and Independent voters all come together and realize that they are terrorists,” said Daniel, a fellow demonstrator.

“No Kings” protests happened all across the nation and throughout Southern California on Saturday — from Pasadena to Dana Point ot Studio City — people made their voices heard.

Some sounded off wearing inflatable costumes, which appears to be a nod in solidarity to protesters’ outfits in Portland, Oregon.

One of the group’s top concerns is the administration’s ICE raids.

“I can’t go to Home Depot without fearing for my life now. At any moment, we could get black bagged. We’re forced to carry around our passports now. We’re not living in a free country anymore,” said Javier Zumaeta from South Pasadena.

“It’s really, really scary, seeing my innocent friends, family and people that I know getting deported,” said Vine Idehen from Riverside.

This was 17-year-old Idehen’s first protest ever.

“Honestly, I’m really disgusted, that’s why I’m out here. I’m just really disgusted and I want to see change. If not today, then someday, and I feel like this is the first step. Being out here and protesting and being able to show your pride for your country, this is like the first step,” Idehen said.

So far, there are no reports of destruction or major arrests.

According to “No Kings” organizers, around 7 million people participated in Saturday’s rallies.

This was the second “No Kings” protest and third mass movement against the administration this year, and it comes amid an intensifying conflict between federal law enforcement and protesters nationwide.