Students gather at the base of Storke Tower, shouting “Fuck Donald Trump!”after marching through Isla Vista early morning on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016. Submitted Photo
Approximately 1,000 UC Santa Barbara students took to the streets in protest early Wednesday morning after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States.
The crowd formed on the San Nicolas Residence Hall lawn at 1 a.m. Wednesday, shortly after election results were confirmed. Students soon began running out of the residence halls toward the University Center to join a crowd that swarmed through the Pardall Tunnel into Isla Vista.
A student takes the mic under Storke Tower at the end of the protest, surrounded by a swarm of students. Submitted Photo
Fabiola Esqueda, a first-year undeclared major and reporter for KCSB news, was one of the students who initiated the protest on the San Nicolas lawn. During the protest’s initial stages, she said men were screaming out from residence hall windows, “saying they were going to rape us.”
“It motivated us, we just continued protesting, we continued saying what we felt needed to be said,” she said. “And it showed through everything that it actually matters. That people are actually here and it’s a big thing.”
At every step of the way new protesters joined the ranks. Several students on Del Playa balconies ran out into the crowd to support the movement, but a few individuals yelled unrelated quips, such as “R.I.P for Harambe.”
After passing around the loop in I.V. and heading back through Pardall Road, the protest ended in a swirling mass at the base of Storke tower. The Student Activist Network offered students a megaphone and a safe space for peaceful protest.
Hundreds of students march from freshman dorms to I.V. chanting “Fuck Donald Trump” and “Not my president.” pic.twitter.com/8wx7dU01GA
— Daily Nexus (@dailynexus) November 9, 2016
“People aren’t safe anymore,” Michael Kile, fifth-year chemical engineering major and community organizer said. “My friend was crying and breaking down. Everyone out here has to join marginalized groups in solidarity.”
Initially numbering at 100 to 150 students, the protest reached peak levels of 1,000 by the time it ended at 2 a.m. Approximately 20 officers from the University Police Department were present, but no arrests were reported, and the gathering remained peaceful for its entire duration.
“I understand your pain. I understand your anger. The DNC made this happen,” said a male student speaking with megaphone. “Bernie won this election, and now they choose a fucking fascist over Hillary.”
“It was really heartbreaking going throughout the night seeing residents cry, calling their parents and trying to feel better.” — Lorena Alvarez
“Violence may feel good right now,” said another student under Storke Tower. “That is not the way to make people see that what we’re doing is right.”
A student behind the speakers sported a Mexican flag, prompting chants of “Viva la Mexico.” A College Republican and Trump supporter proudly waved an American flag, and others shouted ,“light it on fire!”
Students at the beach near the CHI-5 residence halls were celebrating the statewide legalization of recreational marijuana by toking the piff. The quiet was disturbed by faint screaming of “Fuck Donald Trump!” as the protest gained steam. Nearing 1:30 a.m., the protest could also be heard from the 68 block of Isla Vista.
Students throughout the University of California organized similar protests in response to Trump’s victory, including those at UC Berkeley, Irvine, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, San Diego and Riverside campuses.
College Republicans advisor and graduate student Richard Behiel waves a United States flag amidst a sea of students. Submitted Photo
According to the Daily Bruin, hundreds of students walked down Bruin Walk toward Westwood Village and proceeded to burn a Donald Trump piñata while others tried to flip a car, stopping only when they realized a man was inside the vehicle.
Trump supporters standing on the streets of I.V. were proudly sporting Trump banners and apparel as they watched students walk by. Their banners and hats were ripped out of their hands by protesters as the march progressed.
“We are a group of Trump supporters that are stoked that Trump just won, that democracy won,” Andrew Cavarno, a recent UCSB alumnus, said. “The people made their voices clear.”
A student in the crowd sported a foot-long bong, smoking marijuana while telling anyone and everyone that would listen that it was “legal.”
Kristen Armellini, deputy chief of staff for the external vice president of local affairs, said she began crying after election results were announced due to all the people who would face adversity during the new presidency.
“I literally had a friend text me saying he’s scared to go out now because he’s Arab, and he’s scared his brother is going to get bullied at school,” she said.
UCSB students protest presidential election results in Isla Vista, swarming Del Playa early Wednesday morning. Stephen Manga / Daily Nexus
Armellini added that the group of Trump supporters at the rally were not accomplishing anything.
“I just think it’s dumb to be sitting here with your guy friends, literally not a single person of color … just getting a laugh out of people that are actually thinking about the people they love and fearing for their lives,” she said. “I honestly feel unsafe in this country now.”
Lorena Alvarez, a resident assistant in San Miguel and a third-year English major, said she witnessed a lot of “grieving, crying and just trying to stay strong together” after Trump’s election.
Because Trump “targeted specifically the Latinx community,” she said, a large group from the residence hall was encouraged to join the protest.
“I basically had a community of folks that were specifically targeted, calling their parents, feeling scared for their lives, thinking they wouldn’t be here tomorrow thinking they won’t even graduate,” she said. “It was really heartbreaking going throughout the night seeing residents cry, calling their parents and trying to feel better.”
Students have planned another rally Wednesday at 12 p.m. in Storke Plaza to continue discussion about the election and open up more additional opportunities for activism.
“For me personally, it’s just uplifting the communities I belong in, as a Chicana, I’m all about uplifting in Latina spaces,” Alvarez said. “And as much as I’d love to organize a few focusing on my residents, focusing on myself is what matters.”
Megan Mineiro, Josh Bevan, Allison Garfield, Karenina Alfaro, Malire Lozada, Jack Hu, Soham Tikekar and Gerardo Banuelos contributed reporting.
Update: The march could also be heard from the 68 block of Isla Vista.
Update: The next march will be Wednesday at 12 p.m.
Rally is at 12! Not 12:30!
(“men were screaming out from residence hall windows, “saying they were going to rape us.”) Quite frankly, I’m calling bulls—. Get out your phone and record it, ’cause I say that is fantasy, as is so much else about this. “People aren’t safe anymore,” — “My friend was crying and breaking down.” — ” said she began crying after election results were announced” — “he’s scared to go out now” — “I honestly feel unsafe in this country now.” — “feeling scared for their lives” — “seeing residents cry, calling their parents”….. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me that there is… Read more »
am I correct in assuming that you are not part of a community that is threatened to be further marginalized by this outcome? Because unless you are anything but a white cis male, your ideas on feeling “safe” and “upset” over this outcome are not relevant to those of us who will inevitably be negatively affected by what is going on.
I stand corrected if you are indeed any type of marginalized community, but if that is the case, then try fostering some empathy in your heart.
“Marginalized”? Trump won fair and square and Hillary conceded. It’s a 2-way street – quit crying and accept that everyone does not always get what they want in life. Like Winston Churchill said – “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for everything else.”
I guess Winston Churchill thought that the **DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC** that is the US form of government is worse than a democracy. If the US was a democracy, there would be no Electoral College, which is an aspect of the actual form of US government, which is of course as **DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC**.
If the US was a democracy, Hillary Clinton would be President, because she one the popular vote by several hundred thousand over Trump.
Educate yourself on what the electoral college is, and why it has distinct advantages over pure popular voting methods. You’re coming off as a sore loser, and nothing more.
I get it — your gal lost and you’re disappointed. Guess what, though – we who didn’t like Obama had to deal with 2 full terms of his presidency. There were no riots. There were no tearful little special snowflakes. This is life, and part of life is growing up and dealing with disappointment and when things aren’t presented to you exactly as you want. Take it as a learning experience.
You are coming off as ignorant. Winston Churchill’s comment did not apply to the Electoral College, which is an aspect of a *DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC*, not a democracy… Winston Churchill was referring to a democracy. Guess what… those who didn’t like Obama denied for 8 years that he was born in the US. All those sensitive little white people couldn’t handle the truth that Obama was born legitimately in the US and wet their pants over it. They ran to their little safe spaces and bought guns, prayed to their velvet Jesuses, and freaked out over ISIS, which was created by… Read more »
“White cis male”. You do realize that NO ONE talks this way outside of our campuses, and they are not about to start. (especially now.) Does it occur to you that the words are on the page, and it does not matter ONE WHIT what the skin color, or “cis” status, of the person who wrote them is? They are either true words, or they can be logically and/or factually deconstructed, and an argument can be made to that effect. They are words, it does not matter the color of the fingers that wrote them. To believe otherwise illuminates brilliantly… Read more »
How lucky for you to be privileged enough in this life to not have to worry about being marginalized by factors that are not within your own control. All the more reason to be concerned about them. Exactly, marginalized communities have existed for MILLENNIA, so why continue to perpetuate the primitive behaviors which drive said marginalization? And people crying/being upset about the outcome vs. taking action is not mutually exclusive. Every single individual that I know who is upset has taken some kind of action to right the wrongs currently going on in Washington. And regardless of knowing someone, one… Read more »
My rights don’t end where your feelings begin, snowflake.
these are the criminals drug dealers thugs of the campus who get your daughters high and rape them
“and the gathering remained peaceful for its entire duration.”
This is untrue. In addition to having my hat and flag stolen (which is technically assault, and which is conceded by the author), I was also sucker punched in the face from behind by some coward. Trump supporters (even some of the girls with us) were shoved, spat on, had water bottles and other objects hurled at them, and had their signs and hats stolen as well. The notion that this mob was peaceful is simply inaccurate.
Lol
Now you’re a Trump supporter? I found an article saying you supported Bernie not long ago! WTF!!!!
Anything is excusable by the leftie loons when they’re doing it. Witness the entire drama that is The Clintons – they personify this sort of thing to the T. It’s just elitist liberal entitlement writ large, and the kiddies are learning it from watching ma and pa from Arkansas.
This article makes the student protesters found very ignorant and violent. Hope they learn more in school than this!!
For Anonymous (directly above):
Mr Pot , allow me to introduce you to Mr Kettle
I agree. They believe the media. The only violence I saw was “Black lives matters” excuse and “Hillary’s infiltrated organized violence mongers” at the Trump rallies.
No violence at Hillary rallies, so how stupid. Any American who wants “Radical Islamic Terrorists” is prejudice and anti-American to me. Try getting a job after college, protestors, then feel the illegal immigrant status in your own state. Your paying for them if you work on the books , and if you aren’t they are your competition.
I go to school out here and I’m a trump supporter, the professors here condemn Donald Trump, I was personally scolded for 30 minutes or more before class for mentioning “Podesta Emails”
Anecdote is not data. If you do go to school here it is a shame our educational system has failed you (either a fault of your or a fault of the system, but clearly a failure to teach the illogic of inferential over-reach (at such a basic level)).
I will be posting lots of photos taken last night after this fuckin 10A midterm
What part of “democratic election” do these students not understand? (I think we need to send Free Hugs to UCSB.) :)
You’re probably kidding, but the LAST thing these people need is “hugs”. What they need is to feel some pain. No, I don’t say that because I am a mean ogre. I really really really really REALLY mean that they need to feel enough pain to learn that THAT IS PART OF THE DEAL WE CALL LIFE AND LIVING WITH EACH OTHER. Feel the pain of this, suffer mightily, and then learn that you CAN get over it, go on with your lives, and start making a real difference with your real hands, rather than expecting OTHER people to make… Read more »
Come on, they’re just expressing themselves. They are unaware that their behavior confirms many accusations made by the Reps. (I’m a Dem btw.) 1. The “gentleman” in the photo, raging and flipping the bird. THIS is political discourse????? Confirmed: Left Wingers just like to yell like crazy people. 2. These students exhibit open disdain for the choice of many Americans, and are therefore implying a disrespect to all the millions of people who voted for Mr Trump. Confirmed: Left Wingers are intolerant fascists. If there was a legitimate protest, like if Congress somehow authorizes building “Donald’s Wall”, then peaceful articulate… Read more »
I like the way all of College Republicans was once again whitewashed as entirely white. The entire board is Hispanic and I know for a fact that myself included the org has a number of members of color and both genders.
Great article. Thank you for reporting on this.
This is what is called Democracy. Grow up!
Hey, what we’re seeing is the INTOLERANCE of the LEFT.
So much for the fake tolerance of the so-called “party of tolerance.”
So much HATE. Why don’t you people look in a mirror and realize your hypocrisy?
As it turns out, the LEFT is the party of racism, just as the Democrats were for slavery and the KKK were Democrats and the Democrats opposed the Civil Rights Act.
You’ve been brainwashed about yourselves.
So glad minorities realize this as well. Trump voted in with hispanic , african , mexican votes, as well as white.
That’s right. There is also a big contingent of Asian-Americans who voted Trump because they believe in hard work. And “success” is not a bad word in Asian cultures.
Bernie sold out , or was afraid of being on the Clinton Body count. Free college would only be coming out of your paychecks college students , if you ever get jobs because of the load of new immigrants allowed in would work much cheaper. The whole Democratic machine includes Bernie, operating off greed, money and power. Hey Bernie got another home on the water to retire though he had guts to start a movement. Clinton promoted Deborah Wasserman – Shultz, Bernie’s fraud voter, right in front of everyone. Where were you to protest then? Trump is freedom from this… Read more »
Does it occur to you that the immigrants get jobs that are unwanted by Americans?
I disagree with the notion that a person will get a four year degree and then apply for a job cleaning hotel rooms, washing dishes, pouring cement, doing auto body work, etc.
How is trying to flip a car being “peaceful for its entire duration?”
The car flip was referring to what happened @ UCLA.
Great reading comprehension.
UCSB has for some time now had a reputation for turning any event into a violent protest, At least this time they claim to have a reason even if it goes against the democratic principles our country was built on, by the way I do not remember college protests 4 or 8 years ago even though not all people were happy with the outcome. Maybe if college students have lost all respect for democracy and insist on staging violent protests in a attempt to force their opinions on others the State should consider de funding the UC until the UC… Read more »
What a stupid comment. The state currently funds about 27% of the UC annual budget. If they pulled support the UC would not close. It would (a) raise tuition further (you might like that) and (b) do what some other state Universities have tried — reaching out to business and partnering. We then end up with research and teaching and “discoveries” whose relevance pertains primarily to corporate interests. Some educate electorate that would yield! So much for CA’s world leadership in scientific research (and its effect on the 8-9th largest economy in the world). So sure, let’s use our wallets… Read more »
Wow your child must go to UCSB no wonder they react so violently
Great sentence. Grammatically challenged? Hope you are not a UC alum. Would speak volumes about the educational mission at the UC.
So, fine, raise the tuition and force corporate funding, and the re-direction of research that results. Deal with it. OR MAYBE……… How about impressing upon the student body that, if they want the GIFT of lower tuition and self-directed research, maybe they could show a decent modicum of respect to a) the taxpayers that fund them (how many of these students pay significant taxes?) and b) the state that has built the university, built the dorms, gathered the faculty, and maintains the institution. Doing so does not preclude activism or protest in any way, most certainly if such is done… Read more »
Your response is a non sequitur (congrats). The need to impress manners on the student body is orthogonal (look it up) to the impact of diversion of state funding. (It also is filled with factually challenged assertion about UCSB, up-keep of facilities, etc (I will not bother to get into that — look up the monetary mechanisms if you desire)). There are many serious repercussions to your (Phil AG) absurd solution to a non-related “problem”. Another (not mentioned earlier) is that the UC will respond by increasing out-of-state admission, thereby denying entry to even more in-state kids (thus moving further… Read more »
Your comment is a bunch of incoherent bullshit. You’re attempts to sound smart make you look like even more the idiot. Irony at its finest.
If my comments are incoherent to YOU, you need to consider the source of your problem. The act of stipulating as incoherent a factually grounded and logical coherent argument indicates unambiguously where your problem of “understanding” lies. You are an example of self-refutation at its finest. Idiots gotta be idiots. Prof of Philosophy and Psychology at the UC PS: please don’t respond with the tired old claim I am lying to impress so I “look good” [impress whom? You?!]. I simply (apparently not so simple– since you could not follow a straightforward argument. I guess I should have toned down… Read more »
? Again makes no sense, but what does make sense to me is that philosophy is a waste of time. Butt-face!
I am certain that philosophy makes no sense to you. Really no need to state that fact. Like noting that the sun is hot.
Anyway, thanks for your penetrating glimpse into the obvious (and the clever response about faces and butts. Clearly ideas are off limits with folk like you).
I rest my case.
My bad — I should have said that you opinion about the intellectual merits of philosophy are what constitute your “penetrating glimpse into the obvious (so as not to confuse you yet again, oh simple minded one, the penetrating glimpse refers to the tautology of asserting a mind like yours is unable to see the value in clear thought).
My only defense is that with the heavy ideas you offer, it is easy to lose track of your insightful line of thinking (BTW: Is thinking your second language? If so, I apologize).
Haha that was pretty funny – I’ll give you that – Mr. Rene Descartes. I wonder if I ever had you as a professor. Did you teach there any time from 1995 – 1999? I suppose you must be disappointed.
I am not the least surprised that you find a discipline that stresses principles of clear thinking and logical coherence a waste of time. For you, I am sure it iw a waste of time.
Babble on. Discourse with a mentally challenged debater is an exercise in futility.
Perhaps your “pea sized brain” is too small to comprehend – I was stating fact. Philosophy is a waste of time. That’s why you couldn’t find a real job and had to resort to being a professor. Maybe we can at least agree on one thing… Hillary Clinton is a cunt. Can we agree on that at least?
I agree on one “fact” philosophy for you IS a waste of time.
Actually, folk of your ilk are a waste of human resources. Can we agree on that is as well?
BTW: Your pathetically sexist description of Clinton (who I personally cannot stand) is a clear display of why the democratic process in the US is headed toward obsolescence. An uneducated electorate (an electorate that not only is uneducated but also looks down on education) is the most sincere threat to a viable electoral process. As that great philosopher from the Sunday funnies — Pogo – said: We have met the enemy and he is us). As for “resort to be a professor” — I would be amused to see you attempt to “resort” to employment requiring intellectual skill. We are… Read more »
OK cool – so you do agree. BTW I don’t know what neuroscience is. Do you teach at UCSB?
Neuroscience is a very broad category including, but not limited to, the study of neuroanatomy and cellural function, neural wiring, neurological syndromes (amnesia, Capgras…), lesion studies, brain imaging…
I focus on neurology and brain lesions and their influence on amnesic syndromes, Alzheimer’s, autsim, prosopagnosia (face blindness).
Interesting – it would be nice if we could figure out a way to prevent Alzheimer’s and autism. I was just joking around, BTW.
Sorry – just joking around in my previous comments, not about curing autism.
I am not part of the “cure” end of research. I deal with what happens to memory as a result of autism and Alzheimer’s and Amnesia.
Also, how to think about ‘s sense of self accompanying different Alzheimer’s stages of severity (thus giving the patient a respect that often is taken away by physicians not realizing that sense of self is not [despite books to the contrary] obliterated as a result of memory impairment), and such.
My friend’s dad had frontal temporal dementia – you ever heard of that – it’s similar to Alzheimer’s. Very sad seeing him during his last couple of years. He used to go for walks and forget how to get home. We would go play golf and go to lunch after and he would not remember that we just played golf.
What you describe is fairly standard for the family of demantias. There are a variety of semantic dementias including Alzheimer’s (DAT), Picks, etc. Many have similar presenting symptoms (memory issues, identity confusions, similar course) and are, at present, able to be slowed down, but not reversed.
Fortunately, most are not early onset (for instance, your chance of DAT is not severe (25%) until you reach your seventh decade). But for those suffering dementia, the living problems are rough (and perhaps rougher on the family of the afflicted).
Yep, you nailed it – he was around 71 when he passed away – prostate cancer that morphed into bone cancer. Good chatting – again, sorry for joking around some and best of luck to you and your family. Maybe we can grab a beer next time I make it up to SB. Goddam I miss that town. Best 4 years of my life. Let’s hope Donald can keep everybody happy. I don’t think he’ll follow through with the mass deportations. We’ve got bigger fish t fry. BBT – Class of 1999.
Sadly, Phil, you are absolutely correct.
Time to grow and realize that the majority of Americans do not agree with your whiney leftist ways. I do hope all your freebies dry up under president Trump..
Hillary won the popular vote, so it seems a majority do agree…
Please don’t confuse Robert with facts.
What a joke. This is the fascism of the left. Only their candidates are valid. They’ve lost touch with the rest of America. Meanwhile they are the ones acting racist. Can’t blame them- hating who’re males is nearly a religion. Cognitive dissonance strikes when theybrealaize virtually everything of value that they learn at universities, along with their language, the very design and construction of the university itself, the most intelligent and accomplished alumni are white males. That black guy with the middle fingers out is clearly an affirmative action addition to the school who doesn’t belong there. He must be… Read more »
What a racist comment.
this is the party school right… pretty much expected of them … any reason to roam the streets.
/
That Chicano studies degree is looking more marketable now.
As a UCSB undergraduate alum and graduate student, I would like to tell all of you who bad-mouth my campus to fuck off. Our STEM programs are among the best in the country and our research benefits everyone. Most of you that just write us off as a party school don’t have the mental capacity to even understand the great work we do.
Its pretty pathetic for a Trump supporter to have attended or is currently attending a liberal University, such as UCSB. Its like living in the Bay Area or LA Area while being Republican. Y’all don’t fit in. Just leave. Everyone wins that way. The liberal areas don’t gotta deal with your bigotry while you can be a bigot somewhere else. Question: How can people fully, truly support Trump after all the stuff he says about all-races of women and POC? Do none of you Trump supporter love the women in your life or have any POC friends? Even if his… Read more »
With all these special little snowflakes melting down at UCSB I heard Lake Cachuma is up to 80% capacity again. Looks like Trump just solved yet another problem!
How will the melted snowflakes flow over the mountains to reach the lake? Science not your strong suit?
Stop posting the same idiotic attempt to be clever on multiple cites. One example is sufficient to firmly establish your conceptual credentials.
Take a deep breath, cupcakes. It’s going to be alright. It was a fair and orderly election, Tuesday night. What are you protesting? It’s called democracy. You should follow the example of Clinton herself and President Obama. She has given a gracious concession speech and the President is doing his job for the transition. This is how American democracy works. What do you want-to overturn the result?
What a disgrace. And they are afraid? I guess anybody who got in their way was afraid.