Caltrans Adds New Safety Gates on the 101 Freeway Before LA ‘No Kings’ Protest
LOS ANGELES – Caltrans has installed new safety gates at several onramps and offramps along the U.S. 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles in preparation for an anticipated "No Kings" protest scheduled for this Saturday.
The California Highway Patrol requested the installation of these gates as a proactive safety measure, following concerns that ramp access during previous demonstrations posed risks for both pedestrians and drivers. Authorities noted instances where protesters used specific ramps to enter the highway, creating dangerous conditions.
The "No Kings" protest is part of a national day of action across 3,000 cities, with organizers expecting about 50,000 attendees at Gloria Molina Grand Park starting at 2 p.m. Local group 50501 SoCal is spearheading the Los Angeles event, advocating for the impeachment of the Trump administration and the abolition of ICE. They cite reasons such as "unconstitutional deportations" and military aggression as core issues.
This rally will feature a march down Spring Street, alongside notable visual displays including a 20-foot balloon of President Donald Trump in a diaper and a 15-foot balloon depicting him in a Russian military uniform.
Emily Williams, a lead organizer for 50501 SoCal, stated, “A lot of people want to help, they just don’t know where to start. No Kings is that starting point. It’s about community, about showing up for each other, and about turning concern into real action you can be part of."
The event is expected to include speeches and performances from various notable figures, including actress Jodie Sweetin, Dr. Melina Abdullah, and Becky Pringle. Musical acts will feature Grammy award winner Iman Jordan and The Neighborhood Kids.
The community support is strong, with over 30 organizations joining the call for the impeachment and removal of the Trump administration and the dissolution of ICE. Authorities have confirmed that the gates will only be utilized as necessary to ensure the safety of both protesters and fast-moving vehicles.
