News Summary
Over 2,000 residents gathered in Laguna Beach for the ‘No Kings’ protest, opposing recent federal immigration policies amid fears in the immigrant community. Despite a nearby counter-protest supporting President Trump, the primary event was marked by a peaceful atmosphere. Concerns about racial profiling and ICE’s actions sparked discussions about community safety and governance updates, alongside lighter local news from Costa Mesa.
Laguna Beach, Orange County Sees Thousands Protest Federal Immigration Actions
More than 2,000 residents of Orange County gathered on Saturday in Laguna Beach for the nationwide “No Kings” protest, a demonstration against recent federal immigration actions that coincided with a military parade ordered by President Trump. The rally took place along South Coast Highway and was notable for its peaceful atmosphere, despite the significant turnout.
Protesters expressed their concerns regarding the recent immigration enforcement actions carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles and Orange County. Many participants voiced alarm over reports of ICE operations detaining individuals without warrants, such as incidents that occurred at a car wash in Fountain Valley where seven workers were apprehended. These immigration enforcement actions have heightened fears within the immigrant community, prompting this large-scale demonstration.
The protest garnered attention from local media, with Andrew Turner, a reporter, noting the unexpectedly high attendance. Freelance writer and photographer Susan Hoffman remarked on the overwhelming number of attendees in Newport Beach and described the atmosphere as kind and positive. In stark contrast, there was a counter-protest in Huntington Beach supporting President Trump, which highlighted the divided opinions among residents regarding immigration policies.
During the Huntington Beach counter-protest, police arrested an individual with active felony warrants who was found in possession of a loaded firearm, emphasizing the tensions present at both events. While rumors circulated about ICE questioning individuals at Disneyland, officials later clarified these claims as unfounded.
Concerns about racial profiling were brought to light when a video emerged of ICE pursuing a Latino man near Pearson Park, further escalating fears of discrimination within the community. In response to the growing anxiety among customers, local immigrant-owned supermarkets like Northgate and Vallarta have implemented measures to reassure shoppers amidst the heightened ICE presence.
Community Awareness and Education Initiatives
The Zinn Education Project was active during the Laguna Beach farmers market, promoting a campaign for the honest teaching of U.S. history in schools. This initiative comes at a time when several laws across the nation are being introduced to facilitate censorship regarding educational content. Additionally, in Huntington Beach, two library-related ballot measures passed, halting the establishment of a review board for children’s books and regulating agreements for library services outsourcing.
Local Governance Updates
In the recent Newport-Mesa Unified school board election, Andrea McElroy emerged victorious over Kirstin Walsh, altering the composition of the board. Meanwhile, James Canfield has been appointed as the new CEO of the OC Fair & Event Center as of July 1, succeeding the previous leadership. Other significant local developments include the sentencing of disbarred attorney Michael Avenatti to 95 months in federal prison for client theft and a substantial fire that damaged a structure in Costa Mesa, prompting the red-tagging of the property.
In Huntington Beach, police arrested a felon and his accomplice for a theft that resulted in a shelter-in-place order being issued at nearby schools, demonstrating ongoing challenges related to public safety in the community.
In lighter news, Carl and Alice Obert celebrated their remarkable 77th wedding anniversary. Looking ahead, the band Ozomatli is scheduled to perform a free concert at Mile Square Park as part of the OC Parks Summer Concert Series, and Costa Mesa will host its 79th annual Fish Fry and Carnival at Lions Park starting June 27.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Huntington Beach Hosts ‘No Kings Day’ Protests Against Trump
Additional Resources
- Fullerton Observer: No Kings Protest Photos
- Los Angeles Times: Latest News in Orange County
- KTLA: Immigration Raids in Orange County
- OC Register: National Guard in Santa Ana
- Encyclopedia Britannica
- Google Search: No Kings protest Orange County
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
