Santa Rosa protest stoked by fears of a Trump presidency

About 75 people occupied a Roseland street corner for several hours Sunday afternoon in a show of solidarity with groups that felt targeted during Donald Trump’s campaign for president.

It is at least the sixth protest in Sonoma County in five days since Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. The event was designed to demonstrate support for undocumented immigrants, women, Muslims, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community, organizers said.

“We just want to show anyone who’s afraid or uncertain that we’re here and we care about them,” said organizer Chris Grabill, the 34-year-old son of late attorney and housing advocate David Grabill.

The group fanned out on both sides of Sebastopol Road near the old Roseland shopping center to wave signs. Enrique Yarce’s sign read, “Undocumented and unafraid.” The 21-year-old Santa Rosa Junior College student, who has been living in the United States since 1998, said he fears being sent back to Mexico under Trump’s administration.

“This is my country,” Yarce said. “I came here to get an education.”

Laura Hinerfeld, a nurse at Sutter Regional Hospital in Santa Rosa and a labor representative, said she is concerned people could lose access to health care under Trump.

“There is a lot of anxiety,” Hinerfeld said. “I want people in our community to know we will help them.”

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.