From the November-December 2016 issue of News & Letters

Nov. 9, 2016, rally in Oakland, Calif., against Trump’s election. Photo by David M’Oto for News & Letters.

Oakland, Calif.—On Nov. 9, the day that Donald Trump’s claim to a majority of the Electoral College became clear, an ethnically diverse crowd of 7,000 crammed into Oscar Grant (Frank Ogawa) Plaza to express outrage at Trump’s looming control of the U.S. government. Some were there to get a sense of normalcy in the wake of a bizarre and horrifying national disaster.

A Black woman at the mike recounted an incident at the Standing Rock Dakota Access Pipeline occupation: When she witnessed black-clad military-style police attacking Water Protectors (resisters) with batons, dogs and pepper spray, she let loose with a barrage of obscenities. A Native man approached her and said, “Excuse me, sister. Please don’t cuss. We’re in prayer here.” She replied, “No, brother, we’re in a war.”

Advocates of healing and of fighting were both present, judging from signs that ranged in tone from “Love Will Trump Trump” to “Fuck Trump.” During the march a man on the sound truck pointed to riot cops lining the sidewalks,and led marchers in chanting, “If they touch any, they’ll face the many.”

—David M’Oto