The Women’s March Foundation is urging Americans to display the flag upside down as a symbol of “pain,” in response to President Trump’s deployment of troops to assist the National Guard amid ongoing anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.
The organization described the upside-down flag as a “warning signal” indicating that American democracy is in distress. In a statement released on Tuesday, they emphasized that this act of resistance isn’t rooted in resentment.
The press release referred to their call as “SOS,” which signifies both “a signal of historic pain” and a visible act of defiance against growing authoritarianism. Their campaign runs until Saturday, coinciding with Flag Day.
The Women’s March Foundation invites all Americans to engage in this powerful visual resistance, whether by marching, protesting, or simply sitting in solidarity.
They criticized Trump’s approach to illegal immigration, likening it to “early Nazi German tactics,” and condemned his disregard for the wishes of California’s progressive leaders who had voiced opposition to his actions.
The group voiced concerns over the president deploying troops against the American populace, accusing him of intimidating the immigrant community and consolidating his power.
Some demonstrators in Los Angeles have been spotted with an upside-down American flag as protests erupted to obstruct the city’s actions against illegal immigrants. During these protests, some American flags were seen burned, while Mexican flags were displayed, and acts of vandalism and theft occurred.
Despite opposition from Democratic leaders like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, President Trump has sent the National Guard and numerous Marines to the area to address the unrest.
In a recent social media post, Trump commented on the situation, asserting that the city is deteriorating due to the ongoing chaos while also noting bureaucratic delays in federal and local permitting processes.
Amid the turmoil, ICE agents are continuing to arrest illegal immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds, labeling them as some of the most dangerous offenders.
