About 200 people marched through Oakland late Friday to protest Donald Trump’s inauguration. Cheryl Hurd reports.
As the United States on Friday ushers in a new era of power, people in the Bay Area took different approaches to welcoming in President Donald Trump. Or not.
Almost as soon as he took office, people donned purple coats and hats — a color that many say represents unity and also is the mixture of red and blue. And they lined up along portions of the Golden Gate Bridge's pedestrian and bike paths to form a human chain as part of a "peaceful demonstration and performance art piece," according to event organizers.
The event, which began at 10 a.m., was not defined as a protest or a march, according to those spearheading the gesture. The stunt was simply designed to "promote love and positivity." In fact, one demonstrator was seen taking down an anti-Trump sign.
The Flint family from Cuptertino was among those preaching unity.
"I wanted my kids to see people can have a peaceful disagreement," Della Flint said. "We have the power to change things. It is not hopeless."
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While protesters and police in Washington D.C. clashed violently following the Trump's swearing in, demonstrations around the Bay Area remained fairly peaceful during the late morning and early afternoon hours.
A flock of protesters shortly after 8:30 a.m. illegally blocked Caltrain tracks near 16th Street. Less than two dozen people were arrested two hours later for failing to leave the area, police said.
Earlier Friday morning, protesters also blocked Uber's headquarters in San Francisco. They locked hands and walked down Market Street carrying signs that read "Uber collaborates with Trump."
Although not entirely targeting the nation's new president, protesters in San Francisco blasted Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick for being a "bad community actor that destroys good jobs in favor of precarious work, contributes to rising rents in Bay Area cities but does nothing to mitigate their impact," according to Sarah Nelson, a spokeswoman for the protest.
Nelson added that protesters are frustrated with Uber's backing of Trump.
"Together, (Kalanick) and Trump want to drive us off a cliff and we won't let them," Nelson said.
Uber responded with this statement: "As a company we're committed to working with government on issues that affect riders, drivers and the cities where we operate. Just as we worked with the Obama Administration, we'll work with the Trump Administration, too."
About 1,500 protesters marched through the streets of San Francisco late Friday. Police officers monitored the demonstration by walking with protesters.
Protesters took to the streets in Oakland throughout the day as well, carrying anti-Trump signs in the downtown area. Flocks of people meandered through city streets for several hours, prompting temporary street closures at times.
Claudia Arroyo held a sign in Spanish that said 'Respeta Mi Existencia or Espera Resistencia." In English, she said out loud to Trump: "If you don't accept our existence expect our resistance."
About 200 people marched through Oakland late Friday. There was no violence, but police report three people were arrested during the demonstration.
