Taxpayer money is once again being used to fund protests in Los Angeles. This time, activists are set to take over multiple cities during the “No Kings” demonstrations planned for Saturday, which organizers assert will be the largest yet.
One key organization involved is the Liberty Hill Foundation, a social justice group that, interestingly, has received $14 million from the City of Los Angeles for tenant support and housing initiatives.
Public documents indicate this group has made numerous contributions to various causes, raising some eyebrows about whether taxpayer-supported entities are engaging in extreme political activities. The ACLU of Southern California, known for challenging government policies, is also linked to these events.
Over the years, the ACLU has filed several lawsuits against city and county officials, addressing issues from homelessness enforcement to civil liberties concerns.
Other notable supporters of the “No Kings” protests include Unite Here Local 11 and SEIU Local 21, both of which have close ties to City Hall and align with the city council’s progressive members, particularly radical socialists like Unis Hernández and Hugo Sotomartínez.
The “No Kings” protests represent a national movement against authoritarian figures, with some organizers directly opposing former President Donald Trump. A leaflet being circulated calls for his impeachment and labels his administration as a “regime.”
Los Angeles is poised to host at least 41 rallies across the county, with the largest taking place outside City Hall in downtown. Activists are hoping for unprecedented turnout, building on an earlier demonstration that attracted around 30,000 participants.
State officials are taking proactive measures to manage possible disruptions. The Los Angeles City Council recently approved a substantial $177 million contract for tenant rights lawyers and housing advocates by a 12-1 vote, despite concerns about oversight.
This funding marks one of the largest allocations for eviction defense, with over $106 million directed to a network of nonprofits central to the City’s Stay Housed LA coalition, including the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA). Critics have raised alarms about a lack of transparency with previous contracts from the same organizations.
While some advocate for expanded eviction protections amid ongoing housing challenges, several of the funded groups have taken strong stances against the city. LAFLA is currently involved in various lawsuits against Los Angeles, while other organizations are vocal about defunding the LAPD and opposing certain city projects, intensifying criticism of their funding, which surpasses the annual budgets of some municipal departments.
Most of the financial backing for this deal is expected to come from Measure ULA, known as a “mansion tax.” However, officials have cautioned that if voters decide to repeal it in November, it could jeopardize the revenue stream and expose the city to significant liabilities.
To address concerns over oversight, adjustments have been made to require clearer financial disclosures and annual reviews, though doubts about accountability and political affiliations surrounding the funding persist.
In anticipation of the protests, workers from the California Department of Transportation have installed metal swing gates on the freeway on-ramps along Route 101. This measure, coordinated with the California Highway Patrol, aims to enable law enforcement to quickly restrict access if protesters move onto the highway.
These precautions follow years of demonstrations that have spilled onto major thoroughfares, disrupting traffic and leading to confrontations with law enforcement.
The Liberty Hill Foundation and the ACLU of Southern California have been reached out to for comments.
