Standing American flags and calling for the end of “fascism”, herds of demonstrators in the bay region gathered against the administration of President Donald Trump on Saturday afternoon.
The demonstrations proclaimed “No Kings” have attracted thousands of supporters, extending across the country in California cities in Washington DC and New York. The organizers say that they protest against what they consider to be the civil rights and the constitutional violations of Trump, including the efforts to expel dozens of immigrants, reduce social security benefits and reject the federal government by rejecting thousands of officials and entire agencies.
The demonstrations occur only two weeks after similar national anti-top gatherings have also attracted thousands.
About 2,000 people in the city center of San Jose bordered the St. James Park block, singing “This is what democracy is like” and by holding colorful panels that read “remove the dictator” and “put our democracy”.
Saturday’s demonstration also coincided with the 250th anniversary of the revolutionary war, a gesture of many demonstrators, like the resident of Sunnyvale, Karen Hurst, found Symbolic.
Hurst traveled the park with a yellow craft crown on its head with the word “king” written on it – but X’ed out.
“Two hundred and fifty years ago, we decided that we are not going to have kings in this country,” said the 58 -year -old man, referring to the revolutionary war “It seems that we are heading in the wrong direction and towards someone who wants to be a king.”
Hurst, who is a teacher at San Jose City College, said that she protested to support her students. Many are immigrants or international students, said Hurst, who is afraid of coming to class.
“It makes me angry, I want to defend them,” she said.
A few meters away, Santa Clara’s resident Tom Thomas wore a purple flag that said “Don’t Abandoning the Ship”, a reference to the famous battle cry of the United States during the 1812 War. In Thomas, the sentence was supposed to encourage people not to abandon democracy.
“This (dictatorship) has arrived at other countries before, and thinking that this cannot happen in the United States is simply ridiculous,” said the 53-year-old man. “We have to do things like that, we have to do more than that.”
In Santa Cruz, several hundred people gathered at the corner of Ocean and Water streets at an animated intersection near County Government Center to protest against Trump and his policies.
The demonstrators, many of whom were elderly people, held signs saying “the hands of social security and health insurance”, “resist” and “nobody elected Elon Musk”. Several people have experienced American flags, to report their distress while dozens of motorists passed, horny in support.
In San Francisco, nearly 1,000 people gathered at the Civic Center Plaza, many homemade signs that have also criticized the current administration.
Holding a large American flag, Andrew Hudlow, a resident of San Francisco, said that the anti-Trump movement is intended for “all Americans”.
“I am here because I am concerned about democracy,” said the newly struck lawyer. “I know the story, I know what is going on in other countries. I know what the start of authoritarianism looks like, and that is what we see at the moment. If no one withdraw the courts, then it is only Trump, and it is not the country in which I want to live.”
Among the crowds, Hal Christiansen, 72, slowly walking with a cane in one hand and a sign that said, “maintains my social security” in another. The resident of San Francisco relies on Social Security for his income. Despite his health problems, Christiansen said he wanted to have been released and support the cause.
“I really care, really my country,” he said. “My third great-grandfather fought in the revolutionary war, and I will put my life to fight against a dictator. I am here today to show my strong feelings. I had several accidents
Similar feelings were found in Berkeley. A few hundred people gathered at North Berkeley Bart, holding signs and encouraging passers -by to hide and support.
Resident Darlene Wang introduced himself to the demonstration bearing a costume in the era of revolutionary war and bearing a sign that said “time for the Revolution”.
“I think what happens to the nation is deplorable,” said Wang. “It is therefore time to introduce yourself, to be noisy, to make your voice known and to show your body, and to make stories. It is not normal and it is not fair.”
The writer Paul Rogers contributed to this report.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
