Hundreds rally at Long Beach City Hall against Elon Musk, Trump administration
'We are not going to take it lying down. You cannot give up in advance,' said activist Laurie Meyers during the rally Monday.
More than 500 people united Monday at Long Beach City Hall to protest recent actions taken by President Donald Trump's administration, including efforts led by billionaire immigrant Elon Musk to dismantle various federal government agencies. The demonstration, organized by local activists and community leaders, underscored the power of unity and the importance of civic engagement.
Activists emphasized the need for solidarity and direct action. "We are kind," said Long Beach activist Fernando Guerrero. "We are empathetic. We fight for something that matters."
"Don't be afraid to ask for something more," he continued. "Don't be afraid to demand results. Don't be afraid to call up your representatives and harass them. Ask yourself, what more can I do?"
Guerrero and other activists said that participating in protests like today's helps build a strong community capable of organizing around key social and political issues. One of the event's organizers, Anthony Bryson, who co-founded SoCal Uprising, urged attendees to take action beyond the ballot box.
"We know that our government is messed up," Bryson said. "We know that we need reform, but Trump is not the one to do it."
While Bryson said he remains skeptical that significant government reforms ensuring affordable housing, healthcare and education will occur under Trump's leadership, he stressed the urgent need for political involvement.
"We can't wait until 2026," he said. "We can't wait until 2028. We must start today." Bryson added that it was imperative that voters elect diverse candidates, including trans, non-binary and disabled individuals.
Tracy Farr, a member of Long Beach Indivisible, highlighted the organization's mission since its founding in December.
"We want to protest," Farr said. "We want to gather and rally momentum so that people feel like they have a place to come with like-minded people."
Long Beach Indivisible hosts monthly in-person and virtual meetings to allow those who may feel fearful or frustrated to get involved in activism.
Laurie Meyers, also a member of Long Beach Indivisible, acknowledged the anxiety many feel about the current political climate but said it shows the need for resilience.
"We are not going to take it lying down," she said. "You cannot give up in advance. We are going to fight every way we can."
Those interested in learning more about Long Beach Indivisible can contact them via email at LongBeachIndivisible@gmail.com.
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