Protests in the Bay Area Celebrate MLK Jr. and Oppose Trump’s Policies
This weekend, the Bay Area will witness a range of protests, driven by community groups aiming to voice opposition against President-elect Donald Trump’s right-wing policies and what is perceived as an emerging trend of authoritarianism. The protests coincide with events celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Focus of the Protests
The protests scheduled for this weekend center on multiple critical issues, including:
- Anticipated mass deportations and other anti-immigrant measures proposed by Trump.
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza, described as a genocide by Amnesty International in a report released in December.
- The erosion of reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ protections.
- The overall state of democracy in the United States.
“There’s a lot of fear and fear-mongering in our communities due to the new administration,” stated Katia Padilla, executive administrator at the Latino Task Force. She emphasized the importance of solidarity through a planned march supporting local immigrants and their advocates, scheduled for Saturday. “So we decided to organize a march to show that we stand together,” she added.
Coalition of Causes
This march will be combined with another initiative, known as the People’s March San Francisco. This event aims to showcase a multitude of political concerns. “We realized it’s not just a single issue to fight for—it’s a collective struggle,” Padilla remarked.
Several of the upcoming events fall under a national movement known as “The People’s March,” an evolved version of the Women’s March from 2017, which protested Trump’s inauguration. According to organizer Kait Skye, this rebranding is intended to be “more inclusive for individuals advocating for various causes.” As of Friday, there were over 900 registrations for the People’s March San Francisco.
Scheduled Events
Saturday, January 18
- People’s March Alameda: 10 a.m. at 2263 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda
- People’s March Mountain View: 10 a.m. at 790 W El Camino Real, Mountain View
- People’s March Pacifica: 12 p.m. at the intersection of Crespi Drive and Highway 1, Pacifica
- People’s March San Francisco / Day of Resistance March for Immigrant Community: 12 p.m. at the intersection of 24th and Bryant streets, San Francisco
- Disability Justice is Beloved Community: 1-5 p.m. at Ed Roberts Campus, Oakland
Sunday, January 19
- We Fight Back: 1 p.m. at 335 McAllister St., San Francisco
Monday, January 20
- MLK2025 March: 9:30 a.m. at 700 4th St., San Francisco
- Reclaim MLK’s Radical Legacy March: 11 a.m. at the intersection of 14th Street and Broadway, Oakland
- People’s March — Fight the Trump Agenda! San Jose: 4 p.m. at the intersection of Winchester Boulevard and Stevens Creek, San Jose
The Reclaim MLK’s Radical Legacy Week of Action highlights ongoing efforts to achieve the political ideals championed by Martin Luther King Jr.
