Chico residents joined a nationwide protest Tuesday marking one year since President Donald Trump started his second term.
More than 200 people gathered and held signs at the intersection of Mangrove and Vallombrosa avenues for the “Free America Walkout.”
“I know that a lot of people are just scared, and they find comfort in not being political, but everything in our day to day life is political.”- Andy Salazar, Chico State student
The walkout targeted Trump administration policies that organizers said threaten civil rights and democratic norms. And they say leaving work and school is a way for communities to fight back.
Chico State student Andy Salazar attended the walkout. She says she hopes more people her age will get involved with organizing.
“I know that a lot of people are just scared, and they find comfort in not being political,” Salazar said, “but everything in our day to day life is political.”
Salazar said it’s important for people to fight for their rights, which she believes are being undermined by the Trump administration.
Siobhan O’Neil with Re-Sisters said that urgency is what brought local groups together to organize the event.
“Every single day, the Trump administration, the regime, has broken our democracy … ” O’Neil said, “starting with Musk decimating federal programs and federal aid.”
O’Neil and others say they’re concerned about what’s been going on with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota.
“The stuff that's happened in Minneapolis is just horrific, and that's why you see all these people out here today, right?” O’Neil said. “And we have the power.”
Earlier this month, U.S. citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer, spurring anti-ICE protests nationwide.
That includes in the North State where demonstrations took place in several cities including Redding, Weaverville and Yreka.
