Local students plan to protest Trump inauguration
At 9 a.m. Friday, U.C. Santa Cruz students will leave their classrooms and hit the streets to speak out against Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration.
“We’re doing it because we oppose Trump’s policies and we believe that Trump can be taken down,” said Andrew Smith, Organizer, General Strike.
“It’s important that we resist as much as we possibly can under the new presidency,” said U.C. Santa Cruz student Kate Orchard. “I think that being compliant would just be on the side of injustice.”
The General Strike will last all day. It will include a march to the clock tower, a series of workshops and teach ins, along with knocking down a symbolic border wall.
“It’s always nice talking to other people and listening to other people’s perspectives and ideas of what we can do together in productive ways and efficient ways that get things done,” said Ali Fitch, U.C. Santa Cruz student.
Group organizers said they are demanding California resist fascism and that the state and Santa Cruz adopt a sanctuary status for immigrants.
“Especially building a support network for undocumented immigrants for Santa Cruz in case of an ICE raid,” said Smith. “In case of the terrible things that Trump says that he will do.”
Local businesses are also getting involved. Some are shutting down to take a stand with protestors.
“Our ingredients are their ingredients,” said Jozseph Schultz, owner of India Joze.
India Joze Restaurant is opening up their kitchen to provide food.
“Having people out there, making clear that things need to be addressed is absolutely essential,” said Schultz. “I ‘m proud to be doing my little part to keep them all fed.”
Santa Cruz PD said they will have visible police presence and traffic enforcement throughout the city to ensure peaceful participation while people are exercising their first amendment right.
