A No Kings protester with a leaf blower has gained the spotlight after using the household appliance to protect fellow demonstrators from tear gas in Los Angeles, California. The surprising footage showcased an ingenious use of a common item that proved to be highly useful during the protest.
The footage was originally recorded by a local protester and shared on social media, where it quickly went viral. It was later posted on Reddit’s r/EyesOnIce, where it gained over 1,500 upvotes.
The scene unfolded during a No Kings protest on March 28 at 535 Alameda Street in Los Angeles, California, home to the Metropolitan Detention Center. Guards can be seen beyond a wall of tear gas directed at protesters gathered outside the gate.
A person with a leaf blower uses it to push the gas away, preventing protesters from suffering its effects. It appears to be quite an effective strategy, as most of the gas is unable to reach the demonstrators, who do not back down from the location.
The Internet Loves the ‘Leaf Blower Hero’
Many viewers online thought this was an amazing idea and essentially dubbed the person the “leaf blower hero,” while calling the protesters “true patriots” for standing up against the U.S. federal government. Some users even cracked jokes, with comments like, “The only good use for a leaf blower.”
Overall, most were quite impressed at how the “leaf blower man saved the day.” One social media user stated, “A leafblower cohort, with spare batteries, should turn up at every protest.” Others revealed how they “love these people. I honestly think having dedicated leaf blower people would be very beneficial for these protests, especially if ICE is just going to toss them out like nothing every two seconds.”
Anti-government protests like the No Kings movement have gained significant traction lately, and clever ways to protect protesters, such as this one, are likely part of why the video gained so much attention online, as many users appear to side with the demonstrators. It’s impossible to tell for sure, but it’s entirely possible that the “leaf blower hero” could spark a new trend.
