Thousands took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Jan. 20 to protest a multitude of issues, including the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and the state and federal response to the recent L.A. wildfires.
Demonstrators marched from the steps of City Hall to Pershing Square. Among guest speakers at the rally were survivors of the Eaton Fire and Hurricane Helene, which swept through North Carolina in September 2024. One speaker, Shayna, thanked community members for their aid to the people of Altadena and demanded more aid from local governments.
“We need full funding to build our homes back before there is any talk about L.A. 2.0 and the 2028 Summer Olympics,” she said. “We need to make sure that residents are able to build back their homes.”
Mary Jo Tucker, a survivor of Hurricane Helene from Asheville, spoke in solidarity and urged attendees to continuing the fight for relief and financial security.
“Asheville will stand behind Altadena and stand with you to fight against the government and against this funding going towards these three year plans and these business developments that don’t need to be there,” Tucker said.
This article was first published in the January 29 print edition of the University Times.
