Astor Torres

Social movements

Weekly discussion 9

"#StopTrump protesters lock themselves to ladders to block traffic outside Trump rally in Washington."

            This news coverage looks at how a group of #StopTrump activists blocked a highway in Lynden to deny access to those going to a rally held by Donald Trump. From what I understand, the rally was held in a rural community near the Canadian Border. Political opportunity presented itself when 3 activists were arrested. Resource mobilization was made available through volunteers (human) that made a human chain across two lanes of traffic using PVC pipes "Lockboxes". The video shows the students laying on the ground while forming the human chain and officers trying to separate them. In an act of nonviolence these protesters manage to create a commotion and even got media to show up. They were protesting a campaign imbedded in fear and hatred. The human chain held up traffic for more than 30 minutes. A volunteer named Thomas, said "I'm here to support folks… organizing here locally against fascism and Donald Trump" to which a trump supporter in a car responded, "go back to Seattle!" The movement seemed to be successful, considering they got volunteers and potential supporters to show up. http://www.democracynow.org/2016/5/9/stoptrump_protesters_lock_themselves_to_ladders

"Part 2: U.S. citizen sent to ICE after Trump protest says agent called her 'pain-in-the-ass illegal"

            Democracy Now discusses how a U.S. citizen that helped block a highway leading to a Donald Trump rally was sent to an ICE facility. Political opportunity presented itself when three people got arrested, Jacinta Gonzales was one of those arrested. Gonzales had locked her Neck to a van's window as a way to block the road. The most interesting thing is that Gonzales was sent to an ICE facility despite the fact that she is a U.S. citizen. This made news headlines so much that Democracy now has two parts for the segment. Similar to the previous News report, this one is protesting the amount of violence and hatred expressed from trump and his supporters. Gonzales was later let out but she still fears white supremacy and their effects on people.

http://www.democracynow.org/2016/3/22/part_2_us_citizen_sent_to