Protesters rallied at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego and in smaller groups across the county Tuesday as part of the nationwide “Free America Walkout,” marking the one-year anniversary of the Trump administration’s second term.
Chants and signs denounced some of the administration’s policies, including those on immigration, as about 200 protesters took to the sidewalk and circled around the County Administration Center. Later, the group formed two lines on either side of North Harbor Drive, with some drivers honking their horns in support as they passed.
Organized by the Women’s March organization, the action encouraged participants to walk out of work, school and other activities to voice their demands.
“We need to continue to collectively come together, speak out and have this government represent the people, and not billionaires, in this country,” said Lisa Doell from Women’s March in San Diego.
Protesters hold up signs during the “Free America Walkout” in front of the San Diego County Administration Center on Tuesday. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
On the event’s website, the organizers spoke out against “(Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids on our communities, troops occupying our cities, families torn apart, attacks on our trans siblings, mass surveillance, and terror used to keep us silent.”
In a news release, the White House outlined President Donald Trump’s accomplishments over the past year. Measures related to immigration include a decrease in illegal border crossings, deployment of military forces to enforce border security and the resumption of construction on the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
“One year ago today, President Donald J. Trump returned to office with a resounding mandate to restore prosperity, secure the border, rebuild American strength, and put the American people first,” the White House said Tuesday.
“From negative net migration for the first time in 50 years to the largest homicide drop on record, trillions in reshored investments, peace deals ending multiple wars, record energy production, and massive bureaucracy cuts, President Trump has put America First with urgency — and he’s just getting started,” it stated.
Protesters in San Diego said they were concerned about several issues, blaming Trump for health care cuts to human rights violations to violent immigration raids.
Many people condemned the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent on Jan. 7, when federal agents were conducting an immigration operation in Minneapolis.
“I think that was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said Poway resident Lauren Zimmerman. “We just cannot have this anymore.”
Similar “walkouts” were organized in Encinitas, El Cajon and National City.