Thousands Gather In Oakland To Circle Lake Merritt In Protest Of President-Elect Trump
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- Thousands gathered shoulder to shoulder Sunday afternoon in Oakland to stage a peaceful, family-friendly and non-violent protest against the election of president-elect Donald Trump, organizers said.
The protest got underway at about 3 p.m. as people lined the 3.4-mile pathway around Lake Merritt in Oakland's downtown.
At 3:45 p.m. the demonstrators locked hands and at 4 p.m. they got quiet in vigil-like silence, Rev. Kurt Kuhwald said.
"It was really powerful," he said.
Protesters, including families, had picnics and people of all ages participated in waves and clapping series, Kuhwald said.
The demonstration was a somewhat stark contrast to a protest Thursday evening when police issued citations and arrested 11 for offenses such as assaults on officers and vandalism. Police said no arrests were made Sunday.
About 7,000 people attended Thursday's protest. Kuhwald said upwards of 7,300 attended Sunday's event.
Demonstrations throughout the country—and the world—entered a fifth day Sunday.
Several hundred protesters in Philadelphia were marching downtown, some carrying signs that read "Donald Trump has got to go!"
A few hundred people gathered outside CNN's Los Angeles headquarters in a peaceful protest.
Demonstrations in other cities such as St. Louis, Denver, Chicago and more were planned.
Seventy-one people were arrested in Portland, Oregon, late Saturday and early Sunday during anti-Trump protests downtown. Authorities said protesters failed to obey orders.