Thousands Los Angelenos expected to rally against Federal shutdown over the weekend

More than 1,000 workers, immigrants and community members are expected to fill the streets of Downtown Los Angeles this Saturday in a sweeping demonstration against the ongoing federal government shutdown and deep budget cuts many say target working-class families and immigrant communities.

The march, titled “We the People are Rising - Stop the Hate, Stop the Raids,” will focus on the Trump Administration’s willingness to cut essential services that are critical to working families’ survival, like food safety, public health notices and federal workers being furloughed or working without pay.

The rally comes in the wake of public threats made by President Donald Trump regarding the potential mass termination of federal workers during the shutdown, as well as the elimination of essential programs. 

During a press conference this week, Trump told the press "we can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible that are bad for them and irreversible by them, like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like."

Trump further went on to allege that Democrats wanted “illegal aliens” to come into the country to get “massive healthcare,” despite the fact that undocumented immigrants are largely ineligible for most federal healthcare benefits.

Starting at the corner of East 6th Street & Mateo Street the rally aims to spotlight what organizers describe as the devastating effects of a “reckless Republican shutdown” that has disrupted access to critical services such as healthcare, food assistance and wage protections.

The action is organized by SEIU-United Service Workers West (USWW) and a coalition of labor and immigrant rights organizations. The coalition includes over 20 local and national organizations, such as the United Farm Workers, L.A. County Federation of Labor, Garment Worker Center and the Democratic Socialists of America – Los Angeles.

Among the groups participating in Saturday’s march are the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), UNITE HERE Local 11 and the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), alongside dozens of grassroots organizations. Speakers will include union leaders, educators, community advocates and local elected officials, as well as workers directly impacted by the cuts.

The demonstration reflects a broader trend of mobilization across the country, as labor unions, immigrant advocates and progressive organizations push back against a wave of anti-worker policies and budget cuts as well as the rise in immigration enforcement tactics.