PHOTOS: Nationwide "No Kings" Protests reach Culver City
The protests took place Saturday, President Donald Trump's birthday and the day of a military parade organized by his administration.
Thousands of protesters filled Culver City's streets Saturday, June 14, to take part in the nationwide "No Kings" protest against acts and policies from the Trump Administration — including attacks on the Judicial Branch, wielding of wartime laws to enforce immigration policy, and verbal jabs against critics to enhance his image — that protesters see as authoritarian or "king-like." || Photo by Christian May-SuzukiAnti-ICE chants were among the main focuses of Los Angeles-based protests, including the one held in Culver City. In a post on his Truth Social account Sunday night, President Donald Trump ordered ICE to expand current deportation efforts Trump has tasked the agency to carry out. He singled out Los Angeles, along with New York and Chicago, as part of the "core of the Democrat Power Center" that needed to be addressed, saying "Every day, the Brave Men and Women of ICE are subjected to violence, harassment, and even threats from Radical Democrat Politicians." || Photo by Christian May-SuzukiProtesters took to Culver City streets to express their support in the diversity of Los Angeles and America in the wake of these rising efforts. Reports of ICE activity in Culver City have been made since Trump ordered a ramp-up of enforcement activities, including a story of a Culver City man taken from a car wash by ICE. || Photo by Christian May-SuzukiDuring Saturday's protest, officially set for in front of City Hall, people with signs could be seen as far as the U.S. Postal Service Office. This "No Kings" protest was part of a nationwide event organized by the 50501 Movement, which rallies against actions from the Trump administration that critics see as authoritarian. According to estimates, anywhere from four to six million people participated in a "No Kings" protest on Saturday, with event organizers estimating that five million showed up. || Photo by Christian May-SuzukiUnlike earlier protests that were contained to the sidewalk and center divider in front of City Hall, the No Kings protest Saturday poured into the streets and surrounding infrastructure in Downtown Culver City. The large crowd flooded from the sidewalks into the streets, unofficially closing Culver Boulevard between Madison Avenue and Washington Boulevard for several hours Saturday. || Photo by Christian May-SuzukiSeveral protestors also brought their dogs out Saturday to the large gathering. Dogs have been at the centerpiece of a pair of Trump-related controversies, including the Shiba Inu internet meme "DOGE" inspiring the name of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, among the subjects of protests in Culver City earlier this year. During his campaign, Trump stoked the flames of an unconfirmed conspiracy that villainized Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, claiming "they're eating the dogs, the people that came in" during the Second Presidential Debate of the 2024 campaign last September. || Photo by Christian May-SuzukiSigns at the event covered a variety of Trump-related jokes and complaints, some with wit based on Trump's colorful history of media appearances prior to his two presidential runs. Trump has had a long history of television appearances, most recognizably serving as an Executive Producer and host of "The Apprentice" on NBC. Trump was indirectly nominated in his capacity as "The Apprentice" — which was among the shows considered for "Outstanding Reality-Competition Program" in 2004 and 2005 — but lost both times. He has posts on X criticizing the Emmys from as early as 2012. || Photo by Christian May-SuzukiMore present now than at previous protests were plays on the latest Trump nickname to catch on nationally. "TACO" Trump — an acronym that stands for "Trump Always Chickens Out" — was the subject of several signs and costumes at Saturday's protest. The nickname criticizes the administration's controversial trade policy, most specifically the threats of tariffs and the reversal of those threats in response to resulting market reactions. || Photo by Christian May-SuzukiMusic was brought to the protest in various forms, including this bongo drum duo. Alongside the chanting traditionally seen, small circles of dancers formed throughout the protest, and an electric guitar was even brought and played on Saturday. || Photo by Christian May-Suzuki
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