Third Night of Anti-Trump Protests in Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose
By Cheryl Hurd, Rick Boone and Bay City News ••
Anti-trump protesters gathered in Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco on Friday evening for a third consecutive night of demonstrations against President-elect Donald Trump. Rick Boone and Cheryl Hurd report.
Anti-trump protesters gathered in Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco on Friday evening for a third consecutive night of demonstrations against President-elect Donald Trump.
The California Highway Patrol used social media to warn the public to expect a heavy police presence near highway on- and off-ramps in Oakland as officers monitored the protest. No protest-related violence or arrests were reported.
But, in some ways, the damage has already been done — and downtown Oakland businesses are reeling from the economic impact of non-stop, often destructive, protests.
People were out and about in the uptown part of downtown Oakland on Friday night, but a sense of apprehension permeated the area. A lot were wondering if the peaceful protest would turn violent.
“Tonight, Friday night, is usually a big night for us," said Michael Le Blanc, who owns Pican Restaurant. "So far [we have ]lost about between 80 to 100 reservations."
And for a small business that thrives on downtown Oakland’s recent renaissance, the violence that has taken over the area following the election has been painful for Le Blanc.
"On [Tuesday] night, I marched with the protesters, and on Wednesday night, I had to stand in front of the business to make sure we didn’t sustain any damage," he said.
Preston Adams
Protestors march peacefully in San Jose on Thursday night. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Preston Adams
Protestors march peacefully in San Jose on Thursday night. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Preston Adams
Protestors march peacefully in San Jose on Thursday night. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Preston Adams
Protestors march peacefully in San Jose on Thursday night. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Preston Adams
Protestors march peacefully in San Jose on Thursday night. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Preston Adams
Protestors march peacefully in San Jose on Thursday night. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Preston Adams
Anti-Trump protesters march and holding signs in San Jose. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Preston Adams
Protestors march peacefully in San Jose on Thursday night. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Andy Omvik
Anti-Trump protestors march in Oakland with the American flag. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Joseph Kleid
Anti-Trump protesters march on San Francisco streets. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Protesters and critics of President-elect Donald Trump gather in an intersection outside the Humphrey School of Affairs on the campus of the University of Minnesota on Nov. 10, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minn. Thousands of people across the country have taken to the streets in protest in the days following the election of Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Aaron Godwin
Anti-Trump protester dancing in downtown Oakland. (Nov. 10, 2016)
Michelle Luo
A close-up look at a Donald Trump doll hanging from a pole outside Oakland City Hall. Someone put his left arm into a "Heil Hitler" salute. Nov. 10, 2016
Michelle Luo
A woman holds a Donald Trump doll giving a Nazi salute at an Oakland protest in front of City Hall. Nov. 10, 2016
For Le Blanc, a financial comeback can take a couple of months because a protest like the ongoing one can set his business back by a few hundred thousand dollars a year. He sympathizes with the protest, but admits to being frustrated.
"On one hand, I’m with the protesters," he said. "On the other hand, don’t destroy what’s in the benefit of you and your city."
Pican isn't the only Oakland restaurant that is struggling. Izzy’s Steak & Chop House, which opened just four months ago, had a lot of empty tables for a Friday night. And it was more of the same at Viscera, a boutique store.
"Oakland has so many opportunities, growing and developing," said Ari Takata-Vasquez. "This makes it a little bit scary for people who don’t know how vibrant Oakland can be."
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Vasuki Rao/ San Jose State University
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Vasuki Rao/ San Jose State University
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Vasuki Rao/ San Jose State University
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Vasuki Rao/ San Jose State University
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Vasuki Rao/ San Jose State University
Protests break out in Oakland after Donald Trump was elected President early Wednesday morning. (Oakland, Nov. 9, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Not my president protesters peacefully took to the streets of downtown Oakland to untie against President-elect, Donald Trump, for the third night since the announcement. (November 10, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Not my president protesters peacefully took to the streets of downtown Oakland to untie against President-elect, Donald Trump, for the third night since the announcement. (November 10, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Anti-Trump protesters life a fence leading to interstate 580 in downtown Oakland prior to being removed by CHP. (November 10, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Anti-Trump protesters are escorted down from interstate 580 by CHP after a flood of people rushed to rally on the highway. (November 10, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
"Not my president" protesters peacefully took to the streets of downtown Oakland to unite against President-elect Donald Trump for the third night since the announcement. (November 10, 2016)
Jennifer Gonzalez/ NBC Bay Area
Not my president protesters peacefully took to the streets of downtown Oakland to untie against President-elect, Donald Trump, for the third night since the announcement. (November 10, 2016)
Further south, several hundred anti-Trump protesters marched — peacefully — through downtown San Jose for about two hours.
"He wants to deport Mexicans and Muslims. Why does he want to split the USA up like that?" one protester wondered.
San Jose police, some in riot gear, were on standby. But the crowd followed rules Friday, only temporarily blocking a road.
There was a chance that Friday's march could devolve into violence when several men walked up to the group and suggested a riot. Their words were drowned out by more peaceful chants, but protesters promised not to abandon their fight any time soon.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, it was more of the same.
About 200 demonstrators gathered in front of the Ferry Building. They were peaceful, but, like in San Jose, a large police escort monitored the crowd. The protesters briefly blocked traffic on the Embarcadero before marching up Market Street.
Lots of rude words & gestures, but no violence has been seen by us tonight in #Oakland. Some protestors even expressed their appreciation. pic.twitter.com/HqGU7T9U5W
