Thousands of demonstrators in Southern California are taking to the streets to participate in Saturday’s “No Kings” day of protest.

The grassroots protest movement began as a modest online slogan and has evolved into a nationwide campaign, with thousands of demonstrators expected to fill the streets of Los Angeles throughout the day.

The event, organized by 50501 SoCal, a regional chapter of a larger national coalition that promotes civic engagement and nonviolent protest, is taking place on the same day as a military celebration at Camp Pendleton that will be shutting down part of the 5 Freeway.

“We’re here to protect our democracy from this administration, from Donald Trump — a wannabe king,” said Hunter Dunn, an organizer with 50501 SoCal, adding that the group’s focus remains on “peaceful civic action.”

Sky5 was overhead in Santa Clarita around 10:30 a.m., and KTLA’s Rich Prickett reported seeing a few hundred people gathering at the intersection of Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway.

Prickett moved to Woodland Hills next, where, around 10:50 a.m., another few hundred protestors were seen demonstrating at the intersection of Topanga Canyon and Victory boulevards.

As of 2:30 p.m., Sky5 was overhead of downtown Los Angeles, where thousands of demonstrators were seen filling Alameda Street between Aliso and Temple streets, and marching westbound on 1st Street from Spring Street towards Grand Avenue.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division issued multiple traffic advisories on X due to protesters blocking off downtown streets, urging drivers to take alternate routes.

Angelique Brenes, Sofia Pop Perez and Luis Zuniga contributed to this report.

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