Protesters across Southern California and the country took to the streets for ‘No Kings’ demonstrations against President Trump and the $45-million celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, which coincides with Trump’s 79th.

The Los Angeles Police Department has declared all of downtown as an unlawful assembly, telling all demonstrators to leave the area immediately. "Downtown Los Angeles has been declared as an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY. You are to leave the Downtown Area immediately," police said on X.

The protest comes before leaders vote on whether or not to pass a budget that is expected to lock new undocumented immigrants out of Medi-Cal.

Given the sharp divides in public opinion over the protests, and the deportations that sparked them, Big Tech is steering clear of a combustible situation. “Anything that increases the tension around immigration will just make it harder for tech,” said Nu Wexler, a consultant who formerly worked in policy communications for Facebook and Google.

LAist reporters witnessed LAPD officers firing less-lethal munitions into crowds and taunting protestors from a helicopter. State law and a federal court order restrict the use of crowd dispersal weapons unless specific criteria are met.

Mel Gibson criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of violent protests while on the "Arroyo Grande" podcast.

NBC News correspondent David Noriega reports on the ground in Los Angeles, CA as citizens march in the 'No Kings' protests. "There are a lot of people out here who are the children of immigrants... They feel personally that a lot is at stake for them with these protests,

Demonstrations are taking place across the United States The post ‘No Kings’ Protests in Photos: Chicken Costumes, Anti-Fascism Signs and Police Stand-Offs appeared first on TheWrap.