BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — To the rhythm of the drums, over the weekend, hundreds chanted in unison, “No King!” “No King!” 

In Los Angeles, crowds gathered in neighborhoods including Pico-Robertson and Beverly Hills, waving signs, chanting and urging others to stand up for democracy. Many protesters displayed signs reading, “No Kings in America” and “Hate has no home here.”

Aisha Holden, a Los Angeles native and actor, said her attendance was non-negotiable.

“Half of my family are immigrants,” said Holden. “The other half of my family are African Americans… I’m a Black woman, a queer woman… I feel very compelled to come out here and fight for it.”

Ninety-year-old lawyer Les Weinstein joined tens of thousands in Southern California to protest President Trump and his administration. He was in Beverly Hills with his wife and friends. 

“My fear is that this totalitarianism is going to spread all around the world,” he said. “So I’m here for my grandchildren’s children. We must be the beacon of liberty in this world.”

Dov Roy, who moved to LA in 2015, also joined the demonstration. His grandfather lost six siblings in the Holocaust, a history that Roy says connects him deeply to the moment.

“The energy here is absolutely amazing,” said Roy. “It’s all positive, but we can’t forget what’s underneath it. What these people are standing up to. What they’re fighting against is pure fascism.” 

Even visitors to Los Angeles felt compelled to participate. Julia B., who immigrated to the U.S. from Slovakia and acquired citizenship after years of studying and working here, said the urgency brought her out despite being in town only temporarily.

“I was an immigrant,” said B. “I am an immigrant and, you know, I could have been taking up the streets several years ago. It’s so scary and cruel and undemocratic. This is not America. It needs to stop.”

The protests come as the Trump administration has reaffirmed its plans to continue immigration raids and deportations, despite growing criticism. Many demonstrators expressed both fear and hope, concerned about the future, but empowered by their shared voices.

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