DTLA protesters demand action to address California’s soaring cost of living

LOS ANGELES – More than a hundred demonstrators marched through downtown Los Angeles on Saturday to protest the cost of living in California.

“It’s way too high to the point where our people are moving,” Miracle McKinney said. “We should have decent enough wages where we can live in the city where we work.”

According to a recent US News article, the cost of living in California is 30% higher than the national average. While Los Angeles was ranked as the second most expensive city in the United States.

“Companies are price gouging,” McKinney said. “(They) raise rents without actually raising wages.”

Protesters held signs Saturday reading “Raise wages, lower rents.”

“We can’t afford to go out and take vacations,” Liliana Hernández said. “First we have to pay the rent, the bills, and think about what we are going to eat during the week.”

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Hernandez works as a housekeeper in Santa Monica. She’s a single mom who says she’s just trying to stay ahead of her bills.

“I’m fortunate to have a rent-controlled apartment, but my coworkers have to travel (from) Palmdale and Bakersfield,” Hernandez said.

Protesters played music during a march in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. Their message caught the attention of passers-by.

“Wages are not increasing, it’s hard there,” said Tajai Mcgehe, walking past the demonstration. “Lower the rent, you can’t be mad about that. It makes me want to jump in and join them.

Protesters hope their message will lead to change.

“We’re sending a message to businesses and landlords,” Hernandez said. “We need wages to go up and rents to go down.”