
San Francisco Photo: Rachel Ziegler/rachelzphotography.com
On Saturday, April 19, nearly 1,500 people poured into the streets of San Francisco in one of the largest local actions of the day as part of nationwide protests called by 50501. Spearheaded by Refuse Fascism Norcal chapter, the crowd gathered in Union Square and surged through Chinatown, North Beach, and Fisherman’s Wharf—areas rarely touched by protest routes—before converging at Pier 39 and finally escorting a leader, "David" of the Revcom Corps, to a BART station for protection against targeted repression.
The protest delivered a loud, urgent message: TRUMP MUST GO NOW—not in 2026 or 2028, but now. The march also demanded freedom for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man recently kidnapped by ICE and deported to El Salvador's concentration camp. The atmosphere was charged—angry, defiant, and determined, with chants and banners from Refuse Fascism echoing not just at this march but across other Bay Area protests that day, including others led by PSL (Party for Socialism and Liberation) and Indivisible.

San Francisco Photo: Rachel Ziegler/rachelzphotography.com
Two dramatic banner drops along the route punctuated the day—one from a tunnel and another from a pedestrian bridge over Pier 39—grabbing the attention of onlookers and tourists, many of whom stopped to cheer, film, and join in. The protest intentionally marched through an immigrant neighborhood and tourist centers to signal broad unity and moral clarity in the face of a fascist regime, while disrupting business as usual.
Speakers ranged from a retired teacher and a union activist to an Indivisible organizer and local Refuse Fascism leaders. The defense of "David" and the revcoms became a rallying point. “No divide and conquer” was a strong theme, emphasizing solidarity across differences and the need to protect targeted leaders.

San Francisco Photo: Special to revcom.us
While mainstream media coverage was thin, the protest made waves online. Videos and images circulated widely, spreading the message and reaffirming Refuse Fascism’s role as a bold and unifying political pole in the Bay Area.
Within this, 300 flyers for the Revcom Corps got into people's hands calling for "Hands Off The Revcoms" days and inviting people to a Zoom discussion of Bob Avakian's social media message Revolution #114, “Defeating Trump/MAGA fascism: Looking to some future elections... or working now to mobilize millions around this powerful unifying demand: The Trump fascist regime must go!,” with some registrations already. Forty-three copies of the pamphlet of Bob Avakian's social media messages, “Trump/MAGA Fascism: What We're Really Facing, Why, and What Must Be Done to Defeat It Before It's Too Late” got out to people, and $150 was raised for The Bob Avakian Institute which produced this. There are many who want to know more about the Revcom Corps and Bob Avakian, and a few are beginning to see themselves as part of this movement in a very initial way.
Lots of work and danger ahead. And lots of positive potential within all of this.

San Francisco Photo: Special to revcom.us