Uber, Caltrain Targets Of Anti-Trump Protesters
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF & AP) – At least 29 people were arrested Friday as thousands of people protested President Donald Trump's inauguration, braving the wind and rain to hold demonstrations at several different locations throughout San Francisco.
Protesters blockaded the headquarters of ride-sharing giant Uber and halted trains on a major commuter early Friday morning as demonstrations began across the Bay Area to show opposition to Trump.
In all some 3,000 protesters took to the streets of San Francisco.
Among the protests was a group of anti-Trump demonstrators who draped themselves across the Caltrain commuter rail line tracks in San Francisco, halting service.
- MORE ON INAUGURATION PROTESTS: Washington D.C. | East Bay | San Jose
Protest leader Cat Brooks said the two dozens demonstrators blocked the commuter trains to voice their anger over legislation proposed by the Trump Administration.
"We are standing together to resist and say 'No More,'" she said. "We are interrupting business as usual to say there will be no Muslim registry. You will not deport a million of our brothers and sisters. We are interrupting business as usual to say there will be no wall."
After halting trains for more than two hours, Sheriff Deputies and San Francisco police moved in and began removing protesters from the track. Eleven protesters were arrested.
Caltrain spokeswoman Tasha Bartholomew said normal service resumed at 11:30 a.m. after police cleared the tracks.
Traffic was also being rerouted around a boisterous protest outside the headquarters of the ride-sharing giant Uber that blocked Market Street at 10th St. About 50 protesters wearing signs declaring "Uber Collaborates We Resist" blocked the front doors of Ubers headquarters and spilled over into the street.
Several of the protesters were arrested at the protest of Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, who has served as an advisor to Trump.
The protesters arrived at Uber headquarters at about 7 a.m. Uber employees have been entering the building through a back door on Mission Street.
In a statement, Uber said, "As a company we're committed to working with government on issues that affect riders, drivers and the cities where we operate. Just as we worked with the Obama Administration, we'll work with the Trump Administration, too."
During the march, protesters stopped at many other key spots, including One Sansome Street, which houses several tech companies, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office at 630 Sansome Street, the Consulate General of Israel at 456 Montgomery Street as well as several Well's Fargo locations. According to organizers, the locations are symbols of oppression.
"We're not going to accept the policies that Trump has set forward. Whether they be immigration related or social related, including police force and allowing them to abuse marginalized people," Housing Coordinator with La Raza Centro Legal's Housing Coordinator Carlos Bocanegra said.
"It's the people that are going to stand up to Trump and his polices and we're going to make sure that he knows that he can't divide a country," Bocanegra said.
"Gonna stand up for their rights and stand up against a fascist regime and imperialism, and white supremacy, which is what Trump and his administration represent," said Oakland resident Antoinette Chennsee.
As many as 300 high school students walked out of their schools and joined the demonstration, according to organizers.
As the rally concluded, several protesters cleared the streets and gathered at the A.P. Giannini Plaza in front of 555 California Street, where there were drum and spoken word performances.
Another protest is planned for Friday evening starting at 5 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, according to organizers.
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