Around 100 protesters marched outside the California Democratic Convention in San Francisco on Saturday, urging politicians to stand up to the Trump administration to protect health care, transgender rights and other causes.
The march was one of two protests Saturday targeting California’s Democrats, who are meeting at Moscone Center through Sunday in an effort to advance the party’s goals, showcase candidates for upcoming elections, and strategize challenges to President Donald Trump’s agenda.
“When trans kids are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back,” attendees chanted, waving rainbow and trans flags.
They held signs reading “Your Laws Kill” and “Patients Before Politics.”
The afternoon march was organized by progressive group Indivisible SF and LGBTQ nonprofit Rainbow Families. It winded its way through Yerba Buena Gardens, the pedestrian bridge next to Moscone Center and up Fourth Street.
Activist and Stud bar co-owner Honey Mahogany spoke at the event, calling on protesters to continue speaking out and uniting with other disenfranchised groups, including Black people.
“We thought this fight was over. We thought we had already done this, and yet the fight continues,” Mahogany said.
The march comes amid a crowded race to succeed termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration’s efforts to block gender-affirming care nationwide.
Separately, the No Joke arts collective sent around a dozen members to the event dressed up as various spineless invertebrates, including a slug and insects.
The effort was meant to “urge gubernatorial candidates to grow a spine and stand up for the rights of immigrant, trans, and working class Californians,” according to the group.
“Our next governor needs a spine,” one sign read.
This article originally published at ‘Grow a spine’: S.F. protesters target California Democratic Convention.