LOS ANGELES — A conservative group held a march in West Hollywood and a rally in Beverly Hills Sunday, drawing counter protesters along the way.
The "American Restoration Tour" event was organized by the #WalkAway campaign, a social-media campaign that was launched by New Yorker Brandon Straka ahead of the 2028 mid-term elections, with the stated purpose of encouraging voters to leave the Democratic Party.
The march began at about 1 p.m. Sunday at the corner of North Robertson and Santa Monica boulevards. The demonstrators were trailed by a larger group of counter protesters as they made their way Beverly Gardens Park in Beverly Hills.
Once at the park, many of the counter protesters had fallen away, though a small group remained, while several dozen conservatives waited for a program of speeches.
Speakers were set to include former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, former California state Senate candidate Joe Lisuzzo, singer Cherie Currie, comedian Josh Denny, actresses Shiva Bagheri and Roxanne Hoge, podcaster Jeff Dornik, YouTuber Gothix, actor and commentator Mike Harlow, political commentators Natalie Beisner, Emily Wilson and Jairo Tomico, and Karen Siegemund of the Beverly Hills Conservative Club.
Two flag poles affixed to traffic barriers contained flags and banners. One displayed a U.S. flag, smaller Israeli flag and signs saying "Trump won: Save America," "MAGA Country" and "California for Trump."
Another flag pole has a U.S. flag, a smaller Israeli flag and a banner that said "Jesus is King."
Meanwhile, one of the counter protesters carried a sign reading "MAGAts Governing America."
West Hollywood officials distanced themselves from the planned march earlier this week.
"The city of West Hollywood and its public safety partners at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are aware that there is a planned `American Restoration Tour' march/rally scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 27 in the city of West Hollywood and in the city of Beverly Hills," the city said in a statement. "The city of West Hollywood has received calls from residents and businesses with concerns. Community members have expressed alarm that this assembly stands in contradiction to West Hollywood's core values and community ideals. Additionally, there is concern about the potential for counter-protests in response.
"It is important to note that the march/rally is not a city-permitted event. Rather, the city of West Hollywood respects the Constitution and honors the First Amendment rights of free speech and assembly.
" ... While the city values the rights of free expression, it also recognizes that language and actions matter," the statement continued. "The city remains steadfast in uplifting the dignity and rights of our community members and remains vigilant in denouncing words and actions that may seek to devalue, divide, or diminish us."
Straka and some of his followers mocked the statement on social media, characterizing it as an example of why the planned march and rally is necessary.
"Defend LGBTQ+ people ... from a gay man telling them they can leave the Democrat party if they want to," he noted. "We're so excited!"
Other posters also defended their movement.
"#Walkaway is very diverse on politics, most are those who left the Democrat party," one supporter posted on X. "Then you have the conservatives, and libertarian. All have a different point of view yet have an open mind to listen to other opinions."
In Beverly Hills, officials said organizers had a permit for the rally, but no road or sidewalk closures were permitted. City officials said "police, park rangers, and Code Enforcement will be monitoring the event."
