Bay Area protests intensify as Trump’s inauguration day approaches

Throughout the Bay Area, hundreds of protesters marched along major streets Saturday morning to voice their discontentment with President-elect Donald Trump, who will begin his second term following Monday’s inauguration ceremony.

Trump, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and his administration have been vocal about deporting as many undocumented immigrants as possible during the next four years, supporting anti-abortion initiatives and reducing funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools — an agenda that angers many in the deep-blue Bay Area.

In Alameda, Elliott and Lea Mattice protested near City Hall with dozens of others. “There’s such a rise in fascism right now. It’s our job to stand against that and fight fascism and hate with love and acceptance and  affirmation,” Lea said.

The pair had moved to Alameda last year from Maryland, hoping to set down roots in an area that was more “affirming” and “welcoming.”

“The attitudes here are very supportive,” Elliot said. “We’re happy to be in a place like this that has that level of connection and community to stand up against what we are seeing and where we’re going — the hatred and the hurt.”

The protests are reminiscent of those following Trump’s first victory in 2016, where thousands had gathered in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and San Jose to protest his win over Hillary Clinton.

Donna Pedroza, who showed up to Alameda’s protest on Saturday morning, said she was devastated when Trump took office the first time. But now, eight years later, she is ready to push back.

“The 2016 loss to Hillary really was devastating,” Pedroza said. “But that he got reelected really fired me up. Even though I’m 78, I’m going to go down swinging.”

Alameda’s event was organized by local representatives of the People’s March, a nationwide coalition of organizations that is organizing marches all over the country this weekend, including in Washington, D.C. Thousands rallied at the nation’s capital on Saturday in solidarity of women’s reproductive rights and other causes they believe are under threat from the incoming administration.

In Mountain View, more than 200 protesters stationed themselves on the sidewalks of a bustling downtown intersection, bearing signs that read “Save Our Democracy” and chanting “Resist, Defend, Rise Up.” The protest was organized by local activists and Together We Will, a national political action and civic engagement organization with local representatives.

“Nobody wanted to have to be here, nobody wanted to fight back against another Trump administration,” said Ida Rose Sylvester, one of the organizers. “It’s wonderful to see so many people taking care of one another and supporting their community and still finding optimism for the future.”

Kristine Kopp showed up to the protest waving a 5-foot-long hot pink flag printed with a black outline of a uterus and the phrase “Come and Take It.” The Cupertino resident wanted to stand in solidarity for women’s rights, which she said are being taken away as the Trump administration seeks to enforce more restrictions on reproductive rights, including on abortions.

“I think Trump is undoing everything we’ve done for women’s rights in the last 50 to 75 years,” Kopp said, using two hands to wave her flag on the sidewalk, where oncoming drivers and other passerby could see.