No issues reported as anti-vaccine protesters rally in Los Angeles

Dozens of anti-vaccination protesters gathered for a rally in front of Los Angeles City Hall on Saturday, but unlike previous rallies, no counter-protester showed up and things remained generally peaceful.

Some of the participants in the “World Freedom Rally” carried American flags and signs reading “COVID 1984”, “Informed Dissent”, “I’m not a lab rat” and “Forced penetrations are always bad.” The crowd numbered around 200 people.

Several speakers alternately recited psalms, praised members of the Los Angeles police and fire department for refusing to submit to vaccination warrants, and urged protesters to persevere in their resistance to vaccines “no matter what names they have. call us “.

One woman, who was introduced as a doctor, told the crowd: “If you silence your voices, you are giving your power to the authorities who claim to have your best interests in mind. She urged the crowd to recognize what she described as “tyranny” masquerading as public health protections.

At one point, a caravan of cars pulled up on the sidewalk in front of the protest, with signs stuck to their sides that read, “The fascists out of LA. A group of protesters crossed the street to confront them, middle fingers strained, but the cars left before the confrontation escalated.

A dozen LAPD officers were watching the demonstrators across the street.

Health experts have said COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and save lives. Data released by Los Angeles County last month showed hospitals are seeing more unvaccinated people who are younger and healthy. Currently, 67% of LA County residents are at least partially vaccinated, according to a Times analysis.

Protests against vaccinations and other regulations aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 have become widespread throughout the pandemic, sometimes resulting in physical altercations between participants. Last month, a man was stabbed and a reporter assaulted in a melee at an anti-vaccination rally in downtown Los Angeles.

Some have remained peaceful, including a rally at the Santa Monica Pier two weeks later that drew hundreds of anti-vaccination protesters. Anti-mask protesters have also converged near Huntington Beach Pier in recent months.

In January, a group of anti-vaccine protesters disrupted operations at a COVID-19 mass vaccination center at Dodger Stadium, prompting some officials to call for more safety at testing and vaccination sites.

There is no general rule requiring people to get vaccinated in California, but some cities have or are considering requiring proof of vaccination to enter certain businesses.

Los Angeles County issued a new warrant on Friday requiring indoor bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges in much of the county to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The mandate requires that staff and clients receive at least one dose of vaccine by October 7 and be fully immunized by November 4.

In addition, the county will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test to enter Dodger and SoFi stadiums as well as Major League football venues for events of more than 10,000 people.

In July, the county reinstated a rule requiring people to wear masks in indoor public spaces amid an increase in new coronavirus infections fueled by the highly transmissible Delta variant.