Anti-Trump Protests Erupt in Bay Area

The Bay Area's LGBT community joined thousands of other people in swift reaction to President-elect Donald Trump's unexpected win on Election Day. Protests have taken place regularly over the past week, from school students marching out of class to thousands of people demonstrating in San Francisco and Oakland.

As one group of anti-Trump protesters marched up Market Street from Civic Center last Wednesday, a group of several hundred members of the LGBT community gathered near Harvey Milk Plaza to express their opposition to the president-elect, who has promised to deport undocumented immigrants and overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that guarantees abortion rights to women.

In an interview on 60 Minutes Sunday, Trump said same-sex marriage was "settled," but LGBT activists and legal experts remain extremely concerned about marriage equality and other rights Trump could roll back. (See story, page 14.)

In the Castro, there was applause, cheers, and tears as activists and community members vowed to never go back to the days when LGBT people had no rights and were forced to live in the closet.

"We're going to march in solidarity with workers and undocumented immigrants who are on the front lines of this nightmare," activist Gregg Cassin told the crowd.

Longtime activist Cleve Jones took the microphone to address the crowd as the protesters waiting for the other group to arrive.

"We're going to march to 24th and Mission to show solidarity with the immigrant community, which is in the most immediate danger from this assault," Jones said as people applauded. "We have been thinking about this all day long. We've cried, some of you have prayed. We're angry, we're fearful - if you're not fearful you're not paying attention. And don't tell me we got through Reagan and we got through Bush - too many of my brothers did not."

Jones was referring to the inaction of the Reagan administration during the peak years of the AIDS epidemic, which decimated the gay community, and of the opposition to LGBT equality from Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

"We know what we're up against," Jones said. "And we know that the only way we will survive is if we stick together, love each other, respect each other, and have each other's backs."

Women also addressed the crowd.

"I'm a lesbian, and I'm a woman of color," said Ruth McFarlane, director of development and community engagement at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. "We need to have more voices in this struggle on the mic. We need to make sure that women have a voice. We need to break that glass ceiling. I encourage if you are a woman or a female-bodied person, step up. Step into your leadership. If you're a person of color, a transgender person, an immigrant, an undocumented person, we are here for you - it's time for you. This is your moment."

McFarlane also said that at a legal meeting that took place at NCLR that morning, it was concluded that marriage equality laws are safe. But experts have considered that those rights could be chipped away by Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.

"We must show love to all the communities we belong to," she said.

Laura Diven, an attorney for the Modesto Family Law Center, fought back tears as she reminded people that not all of California was a safe haven.

"Don't forget people in places like Modesto and Riverside," she said.

A number of straight allies joined the Castro protesters, including 22-year-old Will Meckfessel.

"I'm absolutely terrified," Meckfessel told Bay Area Reporter. "Not just for myself, but for everyone. No one really knows what will happen. It's disturbing that this buffoon has control of our armies - he's been given a blank check."

Sister Rosemary Chicken of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence also spoke to the B.A.R.

"We're entering into really dark times and we need to stick together and hold it together," Chicken said. "We have to find a way to get through this. A line has been drawn."

As the Market Street demonstrators arrived, the two groups stood in the center of Castro Street. Led by Jones, the march began amidst shouts of "ACT UP! Fight Back!," which was the rallying cry for ACT UP, the AIDS action and activist group that rose to prominence during the 1980s. As the protesters, now numbering several thousand, made their way up 18th Street, neighborhood residents came to their front doors and windows and cheered.

"I'm horrified, disgusted, and frightened in watching the rise to power of this authoritarian bully," David A. Diaz, 50, a gay man who lives in the neighborhood, said as he marched. "My parents were forced to leave their homeland, Cuba, as they watched a dictator take over their country, and it feels strange that 50-plus years later, I'm finding myself faced with a similar decision. I will continue to march, as long as they remain peaceful, and don't become violent or excuses to loot or destroy the city. I don't think that's productive."

Ernie Lafky, a 53-year-old straight ally, shouted, "Out of the condos and into the streets" as the marchers walked passed condo developments. "I'm here because I'm incredibly angry and frustrated with this country," he said. "I'm a techie. Techies need to get out of their condos and show they care because I know they do."

Other Actions

In Oakland, protests last week resulted in some looting and vandalism, forcing Mayor Libby Schaaf to plead for peaceful demonstrations.

In San Jose, LGBTs gathered at the Billy DeFrank Center last Friday and offered to look into training and resources for the South Bay community.

Meanwhile, protests continued throughout the week. Last Saturday a small group gathered in Dolores Park to sing songs of peace and to offer hugs to those in need of healing. On Sunday there was a sit-in at 555 California Street in the Financial district, a building that is partially owned by Trump.

Also on Sunday, thousands gathered around Oakland's Lake Merritt to form a human chain of solidarity around the entire lake - more than 13,000 people expressed interest on the event's Facebook page.

Protests continued in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, home to many Latinos and immigrants. Daily marches have also taken place in various San Francisco neighborhoods, including the Castro, Civic Center, and Ocean Beach.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck have all said that their cities will remain sanctuary cities. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has urged protesters in his city to continue their actions.

At a unity rally Monday morning in City Hall, Lee acknowledged many people are frustrated, but vowed that San Francisco will remain "a city of refuge, a city of sanctuary, and a city of love."

"We promise to be a city that's always welcoming," the mayor said. "There will be no walls in our city."

He said the city would help protect immigrant families, LGBTQs, and others.

On his Twitter feed, Trump called the protests "unfair."