4th night of anti-Trump protests across Bay Area said to be non-violent
OAKLAND, Calif. (BCN) - Protesters have gathered in San Francisco, San Jose and downtown Oakland this evening for a fourth consecutive night of demonstrations against President Elect Donald Trump.
Around 7 p.m. the California Highway Patrol used social media to warn members of the public to expect a heavy police presence near highway on- and off-ramps in Oakland as officers monitor the protest.
No protest-related violence has been observed in Oakland tonight as of just before 10 p.m., according to the CHP.
In San Francisco the march from Market Street to the Ferry Building was peaceful and there were no reports of major incidents according to SFPD.
United by concerns over President Elect Trump, the crowd of about 50 to 60 initially gathered in Union Square with handmade signs that read, "Love Trumps Hate" and "Not my President" as people spoke about the reasons they do not support the President-elect, who lost to Hillary Clinton in the popular vote, but appears to have won the electoral college votes.
"The people United will never be divided," the crowd chanted.
Police escorted the crowd that grew to more than one hundred protestors.
On the Embarcadero, the group stopped Friday evening traffic as protestors paused to voice their concerns.
Some drivers were frustrated and honked their horns. Others were resigned to wait.
"My question is...did they legally vote? If they voted they have the right o do this. If they didn't vote they shouldn't be doing this," said Robert Parker of Pacifica.
The group marched from the Embarcadero winding through the city to the Mission District Some say they have been out every night since the election protesting.
Many said they are upset and worried about what a Trump Presidency might mean for women, racial minorities, I immigrants and LGBT communities.
"I advocate for trying to change this this aggression and emotional turmoil into concrete action. I advocate for donating to causes that will help especially ones that will help in the new Trump presidency, aclu, planned parenthood southern poverty law center anything hat can help these communities that will absolutely need our help," said Julian Leiserson off San Francisco, "I'm still struggling to find other ways to help and make a difference. It's part of what has made this week so difficult.
The protest ended with a group hug and speeches in the Mission District at 24th Street and Mission Street.
There were no reported incidents of violence, vandalism or arrests at the protest.
More protests are scheduled this weekend with a "group hug"in Dolores Park Saturday at 3pm, a sit-in protest Sunday at a building 555 California Street, and a march at 11am Sunday in Golden Gate Park.