More than 100 people gathered at A.L. Davis Park in Central City on Monday (Jan. 20) to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The event began at about noon — when Trump took the oath of office for the second time — with a rally. At 2p.m., attendees began marching through Central City, ending near the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial sculpture near the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. People working at construction sites and nearby businesses took photos and videos of the protesters as they marched by, while people came out of their homes to express support for the marchers. 

Miu Sims, press liaison for the “Unite and Fight Against the Racist Trump Agenda” rally, told Verite News that activist groups in New Orleans are trying to fortify marginalized communities to withstand attacks on marginalized communities. Trump has already signed executive orders targeting immigrants, underrepresented communities and transgender people.

“We’re here to build community, build a united front, to show that we’re here to protect those who Trump deems as threats to the United States,” Sims said. “Whether that be trans people, immigrants, black and brown people. We’re here to be a united front with them.”

Community groups such as Freedom Road Socialist Organization and New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police (NOCOP) were heavily represented at the protest. Holding  signs criticizing Trump, Jeff Landry and institutions like the New Orleans Police Department and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, members of the groups also took the opportunity to get people involved in their work. 

PHOTOS: Protestors march for unity on MLK Day

  • Palestinian flags, anti-Trump posters and flag with a Marcus Garvey quote were carried by protesters as they passed Willing Workers Baptist Church on Washington Ave. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Organizers served food to protest attendees before speeches began at A.L. Davis Park on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Signs and posters given to people at the march in New Orleans on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • (Left to right) Lauren Fuller, Olivia Wagoner and Max Fuller listen to speeches during the rally at A.L. Davis park that preceded the march on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Belden “Noonie Man” Batiste speaks at A.L. Davis Park on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. He called for more community oversight and announced his bid to run for New Orleans City Council.
  • Valerie Anderson came outside her home to watch the march as it passed on Washington Ave. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Eduardo Romero holds a sign reading “No to Deportations” as the group marches on Washington Ave. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Peyton Leclaire, a transgender parent, came to the protest on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 with concerns of access to gender-affirming medication being restricted by Trump’s administration.
  • The protest was a gathering of 100+ people with concerns about attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, mass deportations, overpolicing, worker’s rights and the Palestinian genocide. Speakers led chants in the bed of a pickup truck, pictured here on S. Claiborne Ave. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • “No matter what Trump throws at us, we do not have fear,” said Miu Sims, press liaison for the march that rolled on S. Claiborne Ave. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.“We will continue to fight, we will continue to struggle and we will continue to protect each other.”
  • Antonia Mar chants while marching on S. Claiborne Ave. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Felix Allen (center) presents a petition to people watching the protest from their homes on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The petition calls for the formation of a Civilian Police Accountability Council in New Orleans.
  • Darius Russell leads chants at a Martin Luther King Jr. memorial at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Jeffrey Patrick holds a sign reading “Hands off trans youth” during a rally that ended the march at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • “This is not about me,” said Laramie Griffin during a speech in Central City on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. “This is about our children.” Griffin is the founder of Evolve Louisiana, a community based humanitarian organization in Baton Rouge.
  • Sam Smith (left) and Edith Romero listen to speeches in New Orleans on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Elinor Upham (left) and Mae Guidry at a rally at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Guidry holds a sign reading “No Trump.”
  • Malakai Webb told Verite they are marching to protest Donald Trump’s “pro-billionaire” agenda. Pictured at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Kelly Porter holds a sign reading “Justice for Daviri Robertson.” at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. Robertson was killed by Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office in 2019. The rally on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 featured a statement from Robertson’s mother in memory of her son and encouraging the protestors.

NOCOP presented attendees and bystanders with a petition calling for the formation of what they call a “Civilian Police Accountability Council” in New Orleans. Felix Allen, a member of the community outreach team of NOCOP, said the petition and council is something the community needs for more democratic control over policing in New Orleans.

“We want to have oversight over the budget,” Allen said. “I personally would rather see things like transportation, libraries and schools funded rather than seeing a police car on every corner.”

According to the petition, the council would be made up of elected community members and would have the power to investigate NOPD officers, practice budget oversight and more. 

New Orleans area residents from intersecting communities came together to honor King’s legacy of unity in the face of oppression. People rallied against the possibility of more executive orders from Trump and the ripple effects they could have on the community, as Sims described New Orleans as a city with a “plethora” of people from these targeted groups. She affirmed the uniting call of the event to resist Trump’s agenda over the coming years.  

“No matter what Trump throws at us, we do not have fear,” Sims said. “We will continue to fight, we will continue to struggle and we will continue to protect each other.”

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