City Funds Controversy: How ‘No Kings’ Protests are Sparking Unrest in California

Taxpayer dollars are once again being channeled toward supporting disruptive activism in Los Angeles. This weekend, organizers are gearing up for what they claim will be the largest “No Kings” protests across both the city and county on Saturday.

A key player in this event is the Liberty Hill Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on social justice. This group receives $14 million from Los Angeles city funds for efforts related to tenant outreach and housing initiatives.

Financial records reveal that the Liberty Hill Foundation has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to the ACLU of Southern California. This raises questions about whether taxpayer-funded entities are being utilized for radical political purposes.

The ACLU of Southern California is a legal organization dedicated to civil rights, known for frequently challenging government policies through litigation and advocacy. It has initiated several lawsuits against the City and County of Los Angeles, addressing issues such as homelessness enforcement, civil liberties, and policing practices.

In addition to Liberty Hill, other significant backers of the “No Kings” protests include Unite Here Local 11 and SEIU Local 21. These organizations have well-documented connections to City Hall and align with the City Council’s progressive faction, which includes notable figures like socialists Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez.

Other big supporters of the No Kings protests are Unite Here Local 11 and SEIU Local 21, organizations with well documented ties to City Hall and alignment with the City Council’s progressive bloc, including radical socialists, Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez.

The “No Kings” protests action is a national day of action against what the organizers claim is the authoritarian leadership tied to President Donald Trump.

Flyers circulating online call for his impeachment and removal from office, describing his administration as a “regime.”

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Los Angeles is at the center of the radical movement, with at least 41 rallies are planned across the county, with the largest gathering scheduled for downtown outside City Hall.

Organizers are pushing for a biggest turnout yet, with prior demonstrations attracting crowds of about 30,000 people.

State officials are already preparing for the possibility of disruptions.

The Los Angeles City Council has approved $177 million in contracts for tenant-rights attorneys and housing advocacy groups in a 12–1 vote, despite concerns about oversight and accountability.

The funding, one of the largest recent allocations for eviction-defense services, will go to a network of nonprofits central to the city’s Stay Housed L.A. coalition, including the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA), which is set to receive more than $106 million.

The decision came after council members were briefed on alleged issues with previous contracts involving some of the same organizations, including failures to provide receipts or basic reporting on how taxpayer funds were used.

Critics argued the lack of transparency raised red flags, while supporters, led by Housing Committee chair Nithya Raman, pushed to expand eviction protections amid ongoing housing instability.

Several of the groups receiving funding have also taken adversarial positions against the city.

LAFLA is currently involved in multiple lawsuits against Los Angeles, while Strategic Actions for a Just Economy has campaigned to defund the LAPD, opposed the LA28 Olympics, and sued the city over development projects. The scale of the funding — exceeding the annual budgets of some city departments — further fueled criticism.

The contracts will be largely funded through Measure ULA, the “mansion tax,” though officials warned the revenue stream could disappear if voters repeal the measure in November, potentially leaving the city liable for millions.

In response to oversight concerns, council members approved an amendment requiring clearer financial reporting and annual reviews, even as broader questions remain about accountability and political ties tied to the funding.

On Friday, crews with the California Department of Transportation installed metal swing gates on freeway on-ramps along the 101 near Los Angeles Street.

The move, coordinated with the California Highway Patrol, is designed to allow officers to quickly shut down access points if protesters move onto the freeway.

The precautions follow years of demonstrations that have spilled onto major roadways, halting traffic and triggering clashes with law enforcement.

The Liberty Hill Foundation and the ACLU of Southern California were contacted for comment.