On the eve of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, thousands gathered at Civic Center Plaza in front of San Francisco City Hall on Sunday, vowing to resist.
But unlike the mass demonstrations that accompanied Trump’s first term in office — the largest in U.S. history, which brought out millions of ordinary Americans less accustomed to taking streets — Sunday’s march was led by socialist groups and featured a hodgepodge of leftist issues.
Speakers voiced their concerns for issues beyond concerns about Trump: namely, climate change, the Israeli occupation in Palestine and immigrants’ and workers’ rights. January 19, 2025. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
Speakers led “Free Palestine” chants, railed against deportations, and even called for a unified Korea without U.S military bases. Trump was a through line, but not always the focus of the march.
The many in the Bay Area who voted against Trump, for the most part, stayed home. Although it did draw more people than Saturday’s march focused on immigrant and reproductive rights as well as climate change.
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“We come together, as we always do, when there’s a heightened threat of more war, poverty, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia and environmental destruction” said Ramsey Robinson, who spoke on behalf of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. “We fight back,” he added.
Photo by Kelly Waldron.
The rally was organized by a coalition of leftist organizations, including Mission Advocates, the Colectiva de Mujeres, and unions including the United Educators of San Francisco and Unite Here Local 2, the hospitality workers’ union.
Speakers voiced their concerns for issues beyond concerns about Trump: namely, climate change, the Israeli occupation in Palestine and immigrants’ and workers’ rights.
“We know that the cease fire is the bare minimum, and we know that the fight ahead is long,” said a speaker for the Palestinian Youth Movement.“It is only just beginning, and we need to continue to show up for Palestine.”
January 19, 2025. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
Most participants who spoke to Mission Local were involved in activism and organizing in some capacity; few were attending a protest for the first time. While at least hundreds attended, the size crowd was a far cry from the protests that took over the city in 2016 when Trump was first elected.
“I wish there were more [people]” said Jason Capili. “I feel like more people are resigned. It’s worrisome because this time we need to get up twice as hard.”
January 19, 2025. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
Others shared the same sentiment.
“Some people are fired up,” said Donna Wallach, a participant who traveled from San Jose to attend the rally. “Others feel hopeless and powerless,” she added.
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January 19, 2025. Photo by Kelly Waldron.The rally took place on the eve of Trump’s inauguration at Civic Center Plaza. January 19, 2025. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
Greg Shore, another participant, echoed the same concern that some people are more complacent now. 77 million people voted for Trump, he said, “It’s beyond comprehension.”
Bao, another participant who happened to stumble upon the event while heading to the library, was concerned about how voters are informing themselves. Trump is a convicted felon, they said. “Did people know? If they did, then all hope is lost right?” they added.
Onlookers listen to the rally at Civic Center Plaza on Sunday. January 19, 2025. Photo by Kelly Waldron.Following the rally, participants marched down Market Street. January 19, 2025. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
Bao decided to pick up a sign advocating for reproductive and trans rights. “Let’s keep protesting,” they said.
The rally eventually mobilized and marched down Market Street, chanting. “When people’s rights are under attack, what do we do?” speakers shouted over the microphone. “Fight back” the crowd cheered.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — TikTok restored its service on Sunday after a temporary shutdown Saturday night that left 170 million American users unable to access the app. The outage also disrupted many influencers who rely on the platform for their livelihoods.
San Francisco content creator Anna Brown, known to her 2.4 million TikTok followers as “AnnaTwinsies,” says the ban was worrisome. Her content often shows her daily life with her two sets of twins.
Brown tells ABC7 News she earns between $5,000 and $20,000 per branded post and 90% of her income comes from TikTok.
“The last couple of weeks, everyone has been talking about it,” Brown said. “But I was literally thinking they will figure something out to prevent it. Some say maybe a VPN will work, or you could have someone abroad manage the account, but no one for sure knows what’s going to happen.”
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TikTok thanks Trump after it begins restoring service to US users
Brown noted that she has a backup plan if TikTok becomes unavailable.
“Luckily for me, my Instagram account started taking off this year,” she said. A check of her Instagram shows over one million followers. “I would probably be able to make it without TikTok.”
TikTok released a statement thanking former President Donald Trump, who is expected to issue an executive order delaying any potential ban for 90 days. However, the details of such an order remain unclear. The law allows for a president to do that as long as Tiktok’s Chinese owners are in the process of selling. But parent company ByteDance has said it will not sell.
Trump previously issued an executive order in 2020 aiming to remove TikTok from U.S. app stores, citing national security concerns.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Malik Thomas had 24 points in San Francisco’s 81-70 win against Oregon State on Saturday night
Thomas shot 8 for 11 (4 for 6 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line for the Dons (16-5, 6-2 West Coast Conference). Marcus Williams added 21 points while shooting 8 for 12, including 4 for 5 from beyond the arc while he also had five assists. Tyrone Riley IV shot 4 of 5 from the field, including 3 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 6 from the line to finish with 15 points.
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The Beavers (14-6, 4-3) were led by Michael Rataj, who posted 18 points, six rebounds and two steals. Damarco Minor added 12 points and six rebounds for Oregon State. Parsa Fallah had nine points.
San Francisco took the lead with 8:05 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. Thomas scored 14 points in the first half to help put the Dons ahead 43-34 at the break. San Francisco turned a 10-point second-half lead into a 19-point advantage with a 9-0 run to make it a 61-42 lead with 12:11 left in the half. Riley scored 11 second-half points in the win.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — When preparing for a disaster, San Francisco says it’s ready to respond.
The LA fires have raised questions about the city’s readiness when it comes to an emergency. On Saturday, a unique event showcased the fire department’s innovative technology and water supply.
Water power was on display along San Francisco’s Embarcadero.
The San Francisco Fire Department was showing off some unique firefighting tools like the St. Francis Fire Boat, essentially a floating fire hydrant on the bay.
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New Fire Chief Dean Crispen was giving Mayor Daniel Lurie a tour outside Fireboat Station 35, and a demonstration of the city’s high pressure fire hydrant system.
MORE: Daniel Lurie names Dean Crispen new San Francisco fire chief, 1st major appointment as new mayor
It’s no coincidence this demonstration was happening in the wake of the Southern California wildfire disaster.
Many locals are asking: “How ready is San Francisco?”
“I’m getting this question a lot in my first 10 days in office,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
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Lurie believes the city is ready.
“We have a fully staffed fire department. We have 200 cisterns, including new ones on the west side,” Lurie said.
MORE: San Francisco has an underground emergency water supply: How reliable is it?
In an emergency, the city has an unlimited water supply from the Bay using submersible pumps.
“Right now, you’re seeing essentially a fire engine in the water pumping water to the hose tender,” said SFFD Captain Jonathan Baxter.
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The hose tender trucks are new for the department. They can pump 5,500 gallons of water per minute, versus a typical fire truck which pumps 1,500 gallons.
“We’re lucky to have a primary water supply, white fire hydrants on almost every corner of San Francisco. We have a secondary water supply, which is specifically used for firefighting,” Crispen said.
“After two stressful weeks, we decided to come here to stay with friends,” said Elaine Zhang.
MORE: Scientist urges preparedness after 3.7 magnitude earthquake hits off San Francisco coast
Zhang and her family are visiting from West LA. Luckily, they didn’t have to evacuate their home.
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She was very surprised to see this fire drill demo happening.
“It’s the right thing to do. That’s what we need. I hoped LA had prepared better for the wildfires we had,” Zhang said.
The fire department says real time drills like this are happening every weekend across the city.
“And so, we will be vigilant. We will stay on top of it. It’s my commitment to people of San Francisco. We have to keep them as safe as possible,” Lurie said.
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