Hundreds gather in San Francisco to protest mass firings of federal employees
Thousands of federal workers who were dismissed from their jobs may soon be reinstated following the latest court orders, which mandate their return to work as early as Monday.
However, it remains uncertain whether the Trump administration will follow through on the ruling, with many fired employees reporting they have yet to receive any notification about their reinstatement.
On Sunday afternoon, a few hundred demonstrators gathered outside San Francisco City Hall to protest the mass firings of federal employees. Their rally highlighted growing concern about job security and the treatment of federal workers under the current administration.
"Nearly everyone I work with is in fear right now. Even giving this interview, I'm afraid. I think there's been a real chilling effect in the way they just summarily terminate people," said Andrew Fish, a worker for the National Park Service.
Despite his fear, Fish expressed determination to stand up and fight against what he described as bullying tactics.
Fish also revealed that his local department has already lost ten colleagues due to the firings.
"This isn't meant just to destroy the federal government, it's meant to traumatize us along the way," he said. "We're being bullied. And you're right, we're angry."
Fish and many of his fellow federal workers, spanning various departments, voiced their frustration with what they see as a concerted effort to demonize and label them as "waste" by members of the Trump administration.
"Of the four people working on (a small team project), two have been illegally fired. And I'm not allowed to work right now. They've told us, pens down, don't do any work tasks," said Solange Hilfinger-Pardo, an organizer of the Sunday rally who works for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Hilfinger-Pardo and other federal workers are hoping for a return to stability, with a strong desire to resume their work protecting consumers.
"I love my job, I'm passionate about my job. And there's a lot of work to be done to protect the American consumer, right?" she added.
Hai Binh Nguyen, another CFPB employee, echoed similar sentiments, saying, "I help make sure that banks don't cheat everyday people. I do investigations, and I go to court on behalf for those everyday people. I hope I can get back to work. But I'm currently being told not to work."
Despite two federal court rulings ordering the reinstatement of fired workers, the demonstrators expressed uncertainty about when or whether those orders would be followed through.
"I am worried. If I don't have a job, we're not going to have healthcare. I have two small kids," said Nguyen.
Fish, along with many other protesters, emphasized that they are dedicated workers simply wanting to return to the jobs they love.
"I don't know if we'll win. I don't know what will come of this. But it's worth fighting for it. I believe in this country," Fish said.
As the situation develops, there are still more questions than answers. On Monday, it is expected that more clarity will emerge regarding the Trump administration's response to the latest court orders.
