Thousands Gather in Downtown Los Angeles to Protest COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

People hold signs in front of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) headquarters to protest the government's policy of forcing frontline workers to be vaccinated against the CCP virus on Sept. 8, 2021. Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times

Thousands of protesters gathered outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Monday to protest the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city workers that goes into effect on Dec. 18.

Firefighters 4 Freedom, one of the groups leading the effort, took to Instagram to share video footage and thank protesters for their efforts in the “March for Freedom” effort.

“The March For Freedom Rally was such an amazing success! Estimates have the turnout at 4,000+ people. On a Monday,” the organization said.

“The only way to defeat this medical tyranny is through mass non-compliance. Today was an amazing demonstration of the soldiers ready to fight this battle. Be strengthened by the numbers today!” it added.

The Los Angeles City Council passed the ordinance in August to require all city workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccination unless granted a medical or religious exemption.

Those with an approved exemption are required to undergo regular testing. The testing would be required twice per week, with $65 per test deducted from the worker’s paycheck. Third-party tests are not approved.

The ordinance was approved in a unanimous 13–0 vote and was signed by Mayor Eric Garcetti.

In addition to a vaccine mandate for city workers, Los Angeles has approved a vaccination ordinance, making it one of the strictest COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the nation.

The ordinance, which began on Nov. 8, requires Angelenos to provide an approved form of vaccination proof or a negative COVID-19 test to enter indoor restaurants, gyms, entertainment, and recreational facilities, personal care establishments, and some city buildings, though retail stores are largely excluded from the ordinance.

The city’s program, called SafePassLA, requires a vaccine card issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or a vaccination record issued by the state or by a health care provider; digital or printed photographs of the documents are also accepted as proof of vaccination, according to the SafePassLA webpage.

Alternatively, Angelenos could provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the past 72 hours to enter indoor businesses. Accepted proof includes a printed document, email, or text message from a test provider that shows results of a PCR or antigen COVID-19 test. The person’s name and the date of the test must be included on the document.

The city council voted 11–2 to implement the mandate on Oct. 6, with city officials expressing hopes that the mandate would raise vaccination rates in Los Angeles.

Micaela Ricaforte contributed to this report.