President Donald Trump’s latest executive order on immigration has struck a chord with people across the country, and California is no exception. Protests erupted at airports throughout the state after the new president banned refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries in a hasty directive that resulted in hundreds of people being detained upon entry.
A number of state and local officials have also weighed in on what critics are calling a "Muslim ban." It’s 2017, of course, so many of them took to Twitter to voice their opinions.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined protestors at LAX and issued several tweets on the matter.
We are live right now from @flyLAXairport https://t.co/LKJMdKcaUb
— Mayor of Los Angeles (@MayorOfLA) January 29, 2017
We will look back on this moment and know that we stood up, spoke out, and lived up to our values. pic.twitter.com/3bon8COVPs
— Mayor of Los Angeles (@MayorOfLA) January 30, 2017
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf weighed in too.
We will not turn our backs on those looking for a better life. #SF stands w/the immigrant community. #MuslimBan #SanctuaryCity
— Mayor Ed Lee (@mayoredlee) January 29, 2017
Our diversity is our strength. These bankrupt policies divide families and turn our nation's back on refugees in need. #NoBanNoWall https://t.co/fRt28LMVal
— Libby Schaaf (@LibbySchaaf) January 28, 2017
The Twitterverse also heard from the mayors of West Sacramento, Long Beach, and former Redlands Mayor, now congressman, Pete Aguilar. Some of them were using the hashtag #MayorsStand4All.
If you are a West Sacramento legal permanent resident trapped outside of the USA by the @POTUS executive order, contact me.#MayorsStand4All
— Christopher Cabaldon (@mayorcabaldon) January 28, 2017
This ban on refugees and muslims is completely Un-American. We bomb a country endlessly and then refuse to help their children and families.
— Robert Garcia (@RobertGarciaLB) January 28, 2017
Sad that Donald Trump is misrepresenting details of an act of terror in our community. https://t.co/CBUlGwqxW2
— Pete Aguilar (@aguilarpete) October 10, 2016
Even public agencies were getting involved. Or were they? It sure looked like it to some after this tweet from BART on Saturday, while protests were taking place at SFO.
You can take BART to all kinds of weekend events - also, direct service to SFO is running great right now.
— SFBART (@SFBART) January 28, 2017
This fight is just heating up. On Saturday, a federal judge blocked the controversial executive order, placing a temporary halt on deportations. On Monday, U.S. Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, an Obama Administration appointee, directed Justice Department lawyers not to defend the order, saying she was unconvinced of its constitutionality. She was promptly fired by the President for “refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States.”
Who needs a drink?
UPDATE: San Diego Mayor and likely Republican gubernatorial contender Kevin Faulconer has weighed in on the executive order with measured opposition. It's worth noting that many California Republicans see Faulconer's style of leadership as a model for the GOP.
I am confident we can strengthen America’s security without shutting America’s doors. pic.twitter.com/FI6dXg6G2L
— Kevin Faulconer (@Kevin_Faulconer) January 31, 2017