Hundreds protest President Trump nearly one year after election

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles were among more than 20 cities that held refuse fascism rallies today.

The nationwide rallies come nearly a full year after the 2016 election. 

There was a similar rally here in the Bay Area. About 200 people showed up to San Francisco's Union Square.

With no clear direction, they marched down Market Street towards the Castro, then veered off to the Mission District.

The group did not have a permit, and San Francisco Police had to make adjustments as they weaved through the city, snarling traffic and at times blocking intersections.

It was a boisterous protest against President Trump, taking place as the President tours Asia in an ambitious trip to five countries in 13 days.

Close to 200 protesters with Refuse Fascism Bay Area marched through the streets with a message to the President. 

Felicia Johnson of San Francisco says, "He's not a good leader, Trump is not a good leader".

There were 20 similar rallies across the country with scores gathering to denounce the president. 

Hayley Smith, from San Francisco says, "We're all here to stand up against what we see as racism and sexism and xenophobia in our country".

The latest national survey from Pew finds just 34% of Americans approve of President Trump's overall job performance, while 59% disapprove.

The study also found that President Trump's approval rating is higher than those of Republican and Democratic congressional leaders. 

The City of San Francisco denied the permit for today's event because of construction of the ice rink in Union Square for the holidays, but marchers today said their message was too important to be ignored.

Karen Smith says, "We just came out because we thought it was important to exercise our First Amendment rights".

Protesters realize it's a long road ahead and historically the impeachment process does take time.