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.

The month after they moved in, the team threw their first party. Khonaysser posted the invitation to Instagram: “Wine dinner. Eight strangers. … Dinner, drinks on us. Dm us.” 

Hundreds responded — nannies, tech workers, venture capitalists, local politicos — which confirmed his hunch. “People are hungry for connection,” he said. “They just need some help.” The night of the party, he donned a butler’s jacket, set the table, and waited by the door. All 12 RSVPs showed up, and from then on, “Dinner With Strangers” became a monthly event. Nowadays, it boasts a 5,000-strong waitlist.

In the past year, Vently has promoted and hosted hundreds of events: Orangetheory workouts, bank raves, boat parties, a SantaCon takeover, viral “lookalike” contests. It has partnered with TechCrunch and the Golden State Warriors (“They reached out to us!,” Khonaysser said). The company has amassed 12,700 followers on Instagram and in November launched a platform where event organizers and venues can list and sell tickets, send text blasts, and manage their communities.

Of course, living with cofounders — and hosting parties in the home — can put a strain on relationships. But Gargi Kand, 26, Vently’s head of growth and self-proclaimed “big sister” of the house, thrives on intensity. (Last year, she ran a marathon with no training. “Don’t recommend it,” she said. “Dislocated my knee a month later.”)

Living in a party house with her colleagues has been generally low-stress, she said, noting that the guys are respectful and clean up after themselves. The only disagreements are over Khonaysser’s “pathological need” to blast the heat; the others forgive him because he makes a killer espresso martini.

As for romantic entanglements, only Khonaysser is in a relationship. “If someone has girl problems, I’m the one they talk to,” said Kand. Jacob Wells, 22, who went to college with Khonaysser and is Vently’s COO, said he’s on standby if Kand needs relationship tips. “Gargi comes to me when she wants a straight-shooter opinion on her many dating problems,” he said.

Monday is St. Patrick’s Day around the world, but San Francisco kicked it off a wee bit early on Saturday with its annual parade down Market Street to City Hall.  

While the atmosphere was fun, there was also an emphasis on recognizing that Irish-American culture is a story about immigrants.

The streak continued as the pipes and drums blared past City Hall. It was officially the 174th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Francisco.  

That’s because even during the COVID-19 shutdown a few people marched down Market Street with flags and pipes, just to keep the tradition going.

“It is true that the Irish like to celebrate, for sure,” said Irish resident Missy Keehan.  “And what’s wrong with that?”

Nothing wrong at all. In fact, Edward Connelley came to watch his family march and to catch up with friends. Now 76, he emigrated to the US in 1970 when he was 21 years old.

“Just came over, my family was here in New York,” he said. “So, I just joined my family, and then they came to San Francisco.”

He worked hard his whole life and is proud of his Irish heritage, but he said he only decided to become a citizen in 2016, for what he admits were practical reasons.

“No, I didn’t become a citizen until before Trump went for office. That’s when I became a citizen,” said Edward. “Because Trump was so crazy.  He could throw anybody out of this country.”

Many Irish arrived in America in the 1800’s because of a potato famine back home. They helped build the Transcontinental Railway that united the nation, but they were vilified by the country for taking jobs that most people didn’t want.  

Eventually, they gained their acceptance after becoming prominent in law enforcement and firefighting, which is acknowledged as part of Irish-American culture to this day.

“I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all,” said Christine Ahern DelCarlo, with the United Irish Societies of SF. “Because we don’t necessarily have a culture here. We have cultures. And you can grasp all of them and be part of it. I think it’s a good thing, a good thing to keep a history going.”

But she said she didn’t think that was being respected in today’s political climate.

“No, I don’t think it’s being appreciated too much right now,” she said. “I think it’s being taken away, actually.  We’re trying to take it away.”

A second-generation American, Ahern DelCarlo, said she believes people have a deep-seated need to hold on to their roots.

“A lot of people still consider Ireland home. And when you go there, I’ve gone there several times, it’s very strange. I didn’t think I would be that affected because my grandparents were born there, my dad was born here, and the first time I went back there, I really felt like going home. It was weird, really weird.”

For those born in Ireland, like Edward, the feelings run pretty deep about the current anti-immigrant sentiment.  It bothers him and he didn’t pull any punches about who he blames for it.

“Yes, it does,” he said, “because Trump is crazy. The whole world hates Trump. The whole world hates Trump.”

Edward is proud of what he’s done as an American, and he’s even prouder of the family he’s raised here. He hopes his new grandchild will grow up proud to be the product of immigrants that have chosen to call this country their home.