SAN ANTONIO — Demonstrators gathered outside Freeman Coliseum on Wednesday during President Donald Trump’s visit, voicing opposition to his administration’s policies on immigration, food assistance and health care.
The Bexar County Democratic Party and the San Antonio chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a socialist political organization, organized separate demonstrations along Houston Street near the venue. Others attended independently.
The protests began as supporters lined up to see Trump. Demonstrators remained outside until about 8:30 p.m.
Destiney Pena, a community organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, said her group came to speak out against policies she believes are hurting San Antonio residents.
“We’re here today to raise our voices in opposition to Donald Trump being here in San Antonio,” Pena said. “How dare he show his face here when the citizens of San Antonio are suffering due to his policies.”
“Mass deportations are affecting our communities directly,” she said.
Pena also cited what she described as cuts to SNAP food assistance and Medicaid. She called for more funding for education, housing, health care and infrastructure.
She said her group wanted to keep its demonstration peaceful.
“We’re exercising our constitutional right to protest, to free speech, to speak out in opposition of what our government is doing,” Pena said.
Rudy Rodriguez said he attended on his own, without an organization. His concerns included family separation and Trump’s support for Ken Paxton.
“That’s not the type of people, the type of representatives we need representing Texas,” Rodriguez said.
State Rep. Josey Garcia, who represents House District 124, also joined demonstrators. She cited concerns about household expenses and immigration.
“What I’m doing here is supporting my community, as you see behind us,” Garcia said. “A lot of folks are really upset with the state of our country right now, particularly Texas.”
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who represents Senate District 19, also attended and said economic concerns were contributing to protesters’ frustration.
“Farmers and ranchers are being hurt throughout the country,” Gutierrez said.
The Democratic Party described its planned event as a peaceful demonstration and scheduled it to end at 6:30 p.m. Protest activity outside the venue continued into the evening.
As attendees later left the coliseum, some Trump supporters and demonstrators exchanged shouts. The protest ended around 8:30 p.m.