Calabasas, CA — On the afternoon of March 14, 2022, a group of approximately 50 residents gathered on the Valley Circle Boulevard overpass above the 101 Freeway in Calabasas to voice their opposition to Los Angeles County’s public health mandates. The peaceful demonstration, which began around 2:00 p.m., saw protesters holding signs and chanting slogans against what they described as forced COVID-19 mandates, including mask and vaccine requirements, in a display of frustration with ongoing restrictions.
Organized by a local grassroots group, the protest aimed to draw attention to concerns about individual freedoms and government overreach. Demonstrators, ranging from young adults to seniors, waved banners reading “Freedom Over Mandates” and “My Body, My Choice,” while passing motorists honked in support or dissent. The Calabasas location, a busy corridor connecting the San Fernando Valley to Ventura County, ensured high visibility, though the group did not block freeway traffic, remaining on the overpass under the watchful eye of California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers.
“We’re here because we believe these mandates infringe on our rights,” said a protester, who declined to give her name. “We want LA County to listen to us and end these restrictions.” The demonstration coincided with a period of heated debate, as the county had begun easing some measures but maintained certain requirements in high-risk settings. No arrests or incidents were reported, and the group dispersed by 4:30 p.m.
