Hundreds protest Trump and new policies in San Jose

In the South Bay, hundreds of people gathered in protest of the incoming Trump administration and its proposed policies. Organizers say they intend to push back on Trump’s policies on immigration, women’s rights, and the LGBTQ+ community.

At the corner of Winchester and Stevens Creek boulevards in San Jose, hundreds of people gathered on Monday for what organizers called the People’s March. One woman says she’s protesting for the first time because she’s concerned about the poor and about Silicon Valley’s support of President Trump.

"The sudden change in Silicon Valley leadership changing from the way they behaved in 2016-2017, to the way they’re falling in line, visiting Mar-a-Lago, changing how they tackle the business that they do, it’s just too influential. It’s too important," said Amber De Buizer, of Santa Clara.

Some people held signs that said No to Fascism, No to deportations, and waved flags supporting women’s rights and the LGBTQ+ community. The Silicon Valley Immigration Committee, who organized the rally, says they’re preparing to push back against Trump policies they believe will be harmful to the local community.

"We wanted to be prepared once Trump came in because Trump’s threatened to pass a number of executive orders that directly attack immigrant communities from revoking birthright citizenship to militarizing the border," said Uriel Magdaleno, with the Silicon Valley Immigration Committee. 

"It has already happened in Bakersfield. There are areas where ICE is active. There are scares, so we want to make sure everybody is properly informed," said Magdaleno. 

During the rally, people spoke about the contributions of immigrants and other marginalized people in the United States. Magdaleno says multiple groups, including Amigos de Guadalupe, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Asian Law Alliance supported Monday’s protest. 

"We just need to stand up to this incoming neo-fascist regime because the more we don’t protest, the more they’re going to try to get away with things," said Dr. Baba Kofi Weusijana, of San Jose. 

Magdaleno says as President Trump's policies are implemented, they’re also working on a memorandum with the city council that reaffirms San Jose as a sanctuary city.

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