‘Free America Walkout’ Draws Youth-Led Crowd to Pasadena Streets

‘Free America Walkout’ in Pasadena, Jan. 20, 2025 (Photo – Staff)

A crowd from Pasadena and surrounding cities gathered Tuesday afternoon for the “Free America Walkout,” a peaceful demonstration organized just days in advance that drew a sizable turnout to Colorado Boulevard.

By Rena Kurlander

Participants were called to leave workplaces, schools, and commercial activities at 2:00 pm local time and assemble along the boulevard. Many in attendance were high school students, several accompanied or supervised by teachers. The youthful presence helped energize the event, with chants of “Power to the people” echoing throughout the demonstration.

“This is such a nice, safe protest, and for the high school students to be at, it’s a wonderful way to get them familiar with the idea of putting their values into action on the street,” said Pastor Tera Landers, senior pastor at Throop Church, who attended the rally.

Organizers initially designated The Paseo as the rally point before deciding to march along Colorado Boulevard. While a large group moved together, some participants remained behind, encouraged by honks from passing cars. Plans to march to City Hall and back were discussed but later altered due to a Volkswagen commercial being filmed at Centennial Square. Instead, marchers walked toward Lake Avenue and back, with some continuing on toward Raymond Avenue.

According to organizers, the walkout was intended to protest what they described as an escalating fascist threat, including immigration raids, military presence in cities, mass surveillance, racial profiling, and attacks on immigrants and families. They said the action sought to demand the restoration of due process and the rule of law, while opposing misogyny, racism, xenophobia, extreme nationalism, militarism, and government-sponsored violence.

Many attendees expressed concern about the state of democracy and what they described as autocratic tactics coming from Washington, with one participant referring to it as the “Trump regime.” Throughout the afternoon, handmade protest signs dotted the crowd, reinforcing a message of unity as people of all ages marched together in support of democracy.

‘Free America Walkout’ in Pasadena (Photo – Staff)

“ICE = Gestapo” sign (Photo – Staff)

“I Found Some Major Waster and Fraud” sign (Photo – Staff)

“No Nazis” sign (Photo – Staff)

Democracy signs (Photo – Staff)

If it’s an immoral order. don’t obey (Photo – Staff)

“We Choose Freedom Over Fascism” sign (Photo – Staff)