July 16, 2025 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: 213.878.5625
RefuseFascism.org
@RefuseFascismLA
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Photo Op
WE DEMAND PROTESTERS’ FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS BE DEFENDED AND PROTECTED. THE TRUMP FASCIST REGIME MUST GO NOW!
WHAT: Press Conference
WHO: Amina Gonzales, RefuseFascism – LA
Juan Jose Gutierrez, Immigrant Rights Attorney
WHERE: Los Angeles Federal Building – 300 N. Los Angeles St.
WHEN: July 17 at 10:30am
In an unprecedented First Amendment assault on the right to dissent and the right of people of Los Angeles to hold peaceful permitted marches and assemblies, as of Wednesday evening the LAPD and Police Commission has refused to grant a Special Events permit for Refuse Fascism’s event “The Disappeared/Los Desaparecidos” to be held Thursday, July 17 at 5pm in front of the Los Angeles Federal Building.
“The Disappeared/Los Desaparecidos” is a site-specific human installation – a re-creation of the disappearance and torture of people, sent by the Trump fascist regime, to El Salvador’s CECOT concentration camp. IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY WE REFUSE TO ACCEPT A FASCIST AMERICA!
The LAPD and LA Police Commission’s stated reason for denying the Special Event street permit is LA Department of Transportation’s “lack of funding and personnel” and this city’s budget crisis.
Amina Gonzales speaking for the Los Angeles chapter of Refuse Fascism stated: “This is illegal, unconstitutional and tantamount to depriving citizens of LA the right to peaceful permitted protest. The City of LA cannot tolerate this specious and illegal rationale by the Police Commission to turn this city into a police state. This occupation of Los Angeles is having a devastating impact on the lives of the immigrant community, the economy of the city and the future of the country. Protest and dissent cannot be allowed to be crushed or curtailed by “budgetary” excuses. The people must be able to have their say.”
In a Demand Letter to the LAPD to reconsider their decision or face possible litigation, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the citing of a fiscal crisis as reasoning for suppressing First Amendment activity. The ACLU writes: “This is not an acceptable reason for refusing to allow the procession/demonstration to take place, as budgetary problems do not absolve the City of the obligation to allow protected First Amendment activity.” The ACLU letter also states: “As the Supreme Court has recognized, ‘the cost of protecting a constitutional right cannot justify’ denying that right.”
Refuse Fascism has applied for and been granted LA Police Commission First Amendment permits to hold dozens of rallies, marches, and stationary events over the past 10 years, and never once has a First Amendment permit application been denied, until now.
This cannot stand.
This in America’s second largest city is alarmingly indicative of the state of emergency we are actually in – with a lawless regime moving very quickly to consolidate a fascist form of government. Refuse Fascism calls on the city officials to intervene in not allowing this very dangerous precedent to be set.
We demand protesters’ First Amendment rights be defended and protected.
We demand LAPD and the City of Los Angeles Police Commission APPROVE the special event permits that have been applied for.
Speakers at the press conference will include Amina Gonzales and Immigrants Rights Attorney Juan Jose Gutierrez who will announce what will happen with the human installation and speak to Refuse’s Fascism’s strategy to halt this fascist regime before it really does become too late.
THE TRUMP FASCIST REGIME MUST GO NOW!
- NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL!
- Shut Down ICE! No Military Occupation! Shut Down the Whole Trump Fascist Regime!
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