Waving American flags and calling for an end to “fascism,” herds of protesters across the Bay Area rallied against President Donald Trump’s administration Saturday afternoon.
The proclaimed “No Kings” protests drew thousands of supporters, stretching across the country in cities from California to Washington D.C and New York. Organizers say they’re protesting against what they view as Trump’s civil rights and constitutional violations, including efforts to deport scores of immigrants, shrink social security benefits and scale back on the federal government by dismissing thousands of government workers and entire agencies.
The protests come just two weeks after similar nationwide anti-Trump rallies also attracted thousands.
Roughly 2,000 people in downtown San Jose lined the block of St. James Park, chanting “This is what democracy looks like,” and holding colorful signs that read “Remove the Dictator,” and “Hands Off our Democracy.”
Saturday’s protest also coincided with the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War, a gesture many protesters, like Sunnyvale resident Karen Hurst, found symbolic.
Hurst trekked through the park wearing a yellow craft crown on her head with the word “King” written on it — but X’ed out.
“Two-hundred and fifty years ago, we decided we weren’t going to have kings in this country,” the 58-year-old said, referencing the Revolutionary War “It seems like right now we’re headed in the wrong direction and towards someone who wants to be a king.”
Hurst, who is a teacher at San Jose City College, said she is protesting to support her students. Many are immigrants or international students, Hurst said, who are afraid to come to class.
“It makes me angry, I want to defend them,” she said.
A couple of yards away, Santa Clara resident Tom Thomas carried a purple flag that read “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” a reference to the U.S’s famous battle cry during the War of 1812. To Thomas, the phrase is meant to encourage people to not give up on democracy.
“This (dictatorship) has happened to other countries before, and to think that this can’t happen in the United States is just ridiculous,” the 53-year-old said. “We have to do stuff like this, we have to do more than this.”
In Santa Cruz, several hundred people gathered at the corner of Ocean and Water streets at a busy intersection near the county government center to protest Trump and his policies.
The demonstrators, many of whom were seniors, held signs saying “Hands of Social Security and Medicare,” “Resist,” and “Nobody elected Elon Musk.” Several people carried upside down American flags, to signal their distress while dozens of motorists drove by, honking in support.
Over in San Francisco, close to 1,000 people gathered at Civic Center Plaza, many waving homemade signs that also criticized the current administration.
Holding a large American flag, San Francisco resident Andrew Hudlow said the anti-Trump movement is for “all Americans.”
“I’m here because I’m concerned about democracy,” the newly-minted lawyer said. “I know history, I know what happens in other countries. I know what the start of authoritarianism looks like, and that’s what we’re seeing right now. If nobody backs up the courts, then it’s just Trump, and that’s not the country I want to live in.”
Also among the crowds was 72-year-old Hal Christiansen, walking slowly with a cane in one hand and a sign that read, “Hands off my Social Security” in another. The San Francisco resident relies on social security for his income. Despite his health issues, Christiansen said he wanted to came out and support the cause.
“I really, really care about my country,” he said. “My third great grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War, and I will lay down my life to fight against a dictator. I’m here today to show my strong feelings. I’ve had several strokes, so I don’t walk well, I have neuropathy in my feet, and crowds frighten me. But I am here to support my people.”
Similar sentiments were found in Berkeley. A few hundred people gathered at the North Berkeley BART, holding signs and encouraging passersby to honk and support.
Resident Darlene Wang showed up to the protest wearing a Revolutionary War era costume and carrying a sign that read “Time for Revolution.”
“I think what is happening to the nation is deplorable,” Wang said. “So it’s time to show up, be loud, make your voices known and make your body seen, and to put up a fuss. This is not normal and it is not right.”
Additional reporting by Paul Rodgers.
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