UC Santa Cruz students stage walkout and demonstration
As President Donald Trump takes over the White House, hundreds of protestors took over downtown Santa Cruz.
“I’m definitely feeling sad, very angry and inspired to fight,” said U.C. Santa Cruz student Valery Mendoza-Martinez.
The General Strike began with a walkout at U.C. Santa Cruz. From there the group marched to the clock tower, speaking out against the new Commander in Chief.
“It’s very upsetting that people would believe in this man, believe that in this country he is the solution to our problems because he is not,” said Julin Uribe, U.C. Santa Cruz student. “He is a blatant racist, xenophobe and sexist.”
Some of the hot button issues: accusations of racism and concerns over immigration policies and women’s rights, along with fear and uncertainty.
“We don’t expect to be able to force Trump out of office today from what we’re doing here in Santa Cruz and what people are doing around the country,” said Michael Gasser with the General Strike. “But we do, I think, have the capacity to unite people to really fight and resist this new administration.
The group is also calling on California and Santa Cruz to adopt a sanctuary status in order to protect immigrants.
“I’m definitely having an issue with immigration policies, the build the wall,” said Hernandez. “I have family that are immigrants and I have a bunch of friends who are also. So that’s very scary and very troubling for me.”
Organizers said all of this is not going to end today, it’s just the beginning.
“We’re planning probably regular weekly meetings in Santa Cruz to talk about the Trump administration and the future,” said Gasser.
The event also included several workshops.
The Santa Cruz Police Department had officers throughout the city to ensure peaceful participation. They also monitored traffic impacts.
ORIGINAL STORY: An estimated crowd of 300-400 demonstrators are gathered at the Clock Tower in Santa Cruz, after staging a walkout and march from UC Santa Cruz on Friday.
The Santa Cruz Police Department closed several roads in the upper downtown area and advised drivers to avoid Water Street between Cedar and River Streets.
During the protest, police say Highway 1 will be open to Mission Street and will bypass downtown traffic on the north end of the downtown corridor. Laurel Street and other roads in the southern portion of the downtown are remained open as well, but police said intermittent road closures could occur as the crowd moves in the area.
Protests are supposed to continue for several hours.
KION’s Maya Holmes is covering the story and will have live reports at 5 and 6 p.m. tonight.
