Thousands hold hands to protest President Trump on Golden Gate Bridge

Byby Elissa Harrington KGO logo
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Thousands hold hands to protest President Trump on Golden Gate Bridge
Thousands of people are gathering to form a human chain on the sidewalk across the Golden Gate Bridge Friday morning.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- An estimated 3,500 demonstrators formed a human chain along the east sidewalk of the Golden Gate Bridge Friday morning, stretching nearly the entire span.

The "Bridge Together Golden Gate" event was created by Sausalito-based event production company satoriteller. Many held signs that said, "Love is our resistance."

The demonstration was not a protest of President Donald Trump's inauguration Friday, but was described as more of a demonstration of democracy at an elemental level to prove people could assemble peacefully to share stories and create a place for togetherness, satoriteller Chief Operating Officer David Morris said.

The event symbolized inclusiveness and democracy, love trumping hate and a rejection hateful rhetoric.

The event's participants, who were urged to wear or bring purple fabric. "All the reasons why you're unhappy or all the reasons why don't like the results - it wasn't about that. It was about goodness coming together," San Francisco resident Genevieve Ferguson said.

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Thousands of people gathered to form a human chain on the sidewalk across the Golden Gate Bridge Friday morning as Donald Trump took the oath of office.
KGO-TV

There were some small gaps including a section near the north end of the bridge. Participants held hands, chanted and moved in a wave formation in several sections, according to the District.

The event closed several parking lots - including the one by the welcome center and Vista Point. Still, traffic was light, and parking lots have since reopened.

Zane Grimm - a veteran - says he was inspired to demonstrate in the rain because of his daughter. He's skeptical of the new president. "He promises the veterans a lot of things. I'd like to see him produce," Grimm said.

PHOTOS: Inaugural Day protests in SF

Some protests to Trump's inauguration in the country were not peaceful, and San Francisco police made 11 arrests.

"We wanted to plant the seeds of action. This was not a time to protest," Morris said.

MORE: Inauguration Day protests across the Bay Area