Public displays of dismay and agitation with the national election result continue in Santa Barbara, with members of Santa Barbara in Black resuming their Friday noon vigil at the corner of State and Anapamu streets. A march is being organized by PODER for Saturday, starting at De la Guerra at 1 p.m., after the Veterans Parade has rolled down State Street at noon. The protesters join hundreds of student activists at Santa Barbara, San Marcos, and Dos Pueblos high schools, and at UCSB who rallied Wednesday both in protest of the election and of Trump's racist and misogynistic statements.
Santa Barbara in Black, a group formed after 9/11 to advocate for peace and nonviolence by a mixture of Quakers and Buddhists, plans to stand silently from noon to 1 p.m. until the inauguration. The group supports nonviolent action to challenge the injustices Trump is expected inflict on women, people of color, Muslims, and immigrant communities. By acting as a clearinghouse for Santa Barbara groups, they intend to work toward asylum for Syrian refugees, immigration reform, and help and homes for the homeless.
In expectation of the struggles ahead for "people of color, women, LGBTQ people, Muslims, undocumented people, and disabled people," PODER will march for unity and "dignity and respect." Organizers changed the time of the United Against Hate action once they learned of the Vets Day parade, recognizing the myriad people who serve in the military. Their concerns include hate crimes, which they state have been exacerbated by Trump's campaign, and sexual assault, of which Trump has been accused.