SLO protesters won’t just ‘get over’ Donald Trump’s election

As an American, I claim my First Amendment right to speak and to protest.

A protest is not a “crybaby’s” expression or being a “sore loser”; it is an action giving power to emotions. People who suffer trauma need to be with others who understand and support them. The Republican Congress protested Obama’s presidency by obstructing him for eight years. Trump protested Obama by claiming, falsely, that Obama was not an American citizen. Many Republicans supported this action.

It is ironic that now you are offended by the Democratic protest against the most unqualified candidate ever to run for president. His life is fraught with scandal; he spews hatred; he is ignorant of how to govern. You tell us “get over it,” “accept it.” The Holocaust happened because people accepted such steps that unleashed bigotry and hatred until 6 million people were murdered.

We will not roll over and accept Trump and his hatred. The more you deride us for protesting, the stronger we will stand with the disabled, LGBTQ, brown, black, yellow, Muslim, Jew. We will protest with them whether you like it or not. If you don’t like it, protest. It is your First Amendment right to do so.

This story was originally published November 15, 2016 at 7:26 PM with the headline "SLO protesters won’t just ‘get over’ Donald Trump’s election."