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Protesters Gather In Downtown LA Against Trump's National Emergency Declaration

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Dozens of demonstrators turned out for a rally in downtown Los Angeles Monday to protest President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency over the issues of illegal immigration and drug trafficking at the southern border.

Protesters Gather In Downtown LA Against Trump's National Emergency Declaration
Protesters and counter-protesters gather in front of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles to demonstrate against President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration. Feb. 18, 2019. (CBS2)

The "Fake National Emergency Presidents Day Protest" began at noon at City Hall, one of hundreds taking place across the U.S., spearheaded through MoveOn.org.

On Friday, the president announced that he was declaring a national emergency in an effort to secure funding for his plan to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

This came after Congress refused to approve the amount of border wall funding he was asking for in the new federal budget.

Rather than force another government shutdown -- like the record 35-day shutdown in December and January -- Mr. Trump took another tact: he signed the budget deal Friday and at the same time declared the national emergency.

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