During the “No Kings” protests on Saturday, transit workers in Los Angeles had to put up large metal gates on freeway ramps. This was meant to keep demonstrators from spilling onto the busy roads.
Workers were spotted setting up several gates on the on-ramps of the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles, a location previously affected by similar protests that turned violent back in June.
The California Department of Transportation took this step as a “pre-emptive security measure,” aiming to stop protesters from accessing the highway and disrupting traffic, according to sources.
Footage showed crews in helmets working to position a gate near 101 Los Angeles Street, right in downtown. A Department of Transportation spokesperson mentioned, “In past protests, pedestrians accessed the freeway at this location, creating unsafe situations for both pedestrians and drivers.” They emphasized that the gates would only be used where absolutely necessary to ensure everyone’s safety on the highways.
It’s not clear how many gates have already been installed or are planned across the city.
Additional “No Kings” protests were scheduled throughout Southern California on the same day, including in places like Burbank and Long Beach.
The protests in LA last June quickly escalated, with some participants throwing rocks and fireworks at law enforcement. More than 20,000 people attended, and the situation devolved into chaos with the police amidst clouds of tear gas.
