Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the city center of Long Beach for a rally “not my president” on the presidential day to protest the role of the Trump government and Elon Musks role.
Outside of the town hall, demonstrators waved American and Mexican flags and homemade signs with news such as “Approach Trump”, “Felon + Elon = Treason” and “I saw more intelligent cupboards in Ikea”.
Demonstrators said that they were dismayed by the flood of executive regulations that President Trump has signed since taking office last month, in particular those who aim to revise the country's climate policy, the immigration system and the right of reproduction.
“I stand strongly against most of what the current administration stands for,” said Amanda Salemi, 40, who kept a sign with the inscription “People about profit” and put a large rainbow flag in her pocket.
Alexis Linnea, right, confronted a counter -protest during the rally.
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
“I believe in democracy, not in fascism, not in a ruler or king,” said Long Beach Business Operations Manager. “Our country is at risk and I'm looking for a way I can get involved.”
Denise Trutanich and Esther Duran, both 73 and friends since the high school, arrived with ramp chairs after they received text notifications about the event.
“It was a long time ago that we protested – like the Vietnam War,” said Trutanich. “I am so suppressed by this whole thing. I have the feeling that we're going backwards. ”
Demonstrators demonstrated both against President Trump and against Elon Musk.
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
In the first two hours, activists gave short speeches when temporary drivers honk their horns. Anthony Bryson from Socal Uprising, who helped organizing the rally, led the crowd through several rounds of: “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Donald Trump has to go. Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Elon Musk has to go. ”
Demonstrators began to march along the Ocean Boulevard in the afternoon, whereby some heated arguments broke out when they came across vowel trump supporters on the almost two miles long route. Two women on a balcony draped an American flag and a red banner with the words “Trump 2024. Remove America” over the railing.
Like many who have joined the rally, Duran expressed contempt for Musk's top -class role as a “special employee” in the Department of Government Efficiency, which has cut out the expenses aggressively and reduced jobs in federal authorities.
“Who is Elon Musk to have a position at all?” said Duran, who held a sign with the inscription “Elon must go”.
The Long Beach Demonstration Rally was one of many similar protests across the country on Monday. In California, demonstrators also gathered in downtown Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and Camarillo.
Many of the events were compiled by the 50501 movement, a group of basic organizers to “maintain the constitution and end the executive overreach”.
Demonstrators keep signs while going along the Ocean Boulevard for the rally “Not my President”.
(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)