Jesse Ugalde, a 74-year-old Vietnam War veteran, stepped into a Department of Veterans Affairs building recently and noticed a troubling change. “Already, people are leaving,” he said, referring to the staff reductions he observed. Ugalde, who relies on the VA for healthcare, expressed concern about the longer wait times for services due to the cuts.
In response to President Trump’s efforts to significantly reduce the size of the federal government, Ugalde joined hundreds of others in a protest in Westwood on Saturday. They marched to the Wilshire Federal Building, voicing their opposition to the proposed cuts at the VA and other essential programs. “There’s no reason to do it this way … I fought for this country, and I’ll fight for it again,” he stated passionately.
The protest was organized by Democracy Action Network, a group advocating for democracy, and was one of the largest demonstrations in Los Angeles since Trump took office. Protesters highlighted their belief that the proposed cuts threaten vital services. Ugalde emphasized that many programs are crucial and not wasteful, contrary to the claims made by the administration.
During the rally, Rep. Maxine Waters addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of defending the U.S. Constitution against what she described as attempts by Trump and his allies, including Elon Musk, to undermine it. Musk’s recent actions, including layoffs and budget freezes at federal agencies, have drawn significant criticism. He has argued that wasteful government spending poses a serious threat to the nation.
Many protesters, including former public school teacher Shaun Law-Bowman, voiced their concerns about the impact of cuts to education and social services. Law-Bowman, who worked with special education programs, warned that the loss of federal funds would harm countless children in need of support.
The protest also took on broader issues, with demonstrators expressing outrage over the recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist. Khalil, who holds a green card and has no criminal record, is being held in immigration detention after being accused by Trump of supporting Hamas.
As the rally unfolded, participants reflected on the historical significance of protests in shaping civil rights in the United States. Elizabeth Gietema, a young activist, remarked, “We wouldn’t have the civil rights we had in the ‘60s without protests.”
The event highlighted a growing frustration among citizens regarding the administration’s approach to governance and its implications for federal programs that many depend on. The message from the crowd was clear: they are determined to fight against cuts that threaten essential services and uphold their rights as citizens.