Students Lead New Wave of Anti-Trump Protests

Hundreds of teens, many not even old enough to vote, exited classrooms on both coasts, carting signs and chanting slogans against a man they say poses a threat to their future. The students are part of a protest movement that has seen tens of thousands taking to the streets in cities large and small after Tuesday's election. Monday's protests happened in Los Angeles, Denver, Portland, Ore., and Silver Spring, Md., among others.

Hundreds of students from about a dozen Oakland high schools walked out on their classes and took to the streets.

“We hope to get our rights and just get our freedom. We want less racism, stop the violence, all of that,” said 14-year-old Salvador Briseno, the USA Today reported.

While most protesters acknowledge they can't change the fact that Trump beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the electoral vote count, they say they want to make a statement that the Republican's barbed campaign comments against women, Muslims, immigrants and beyond aren't acceptable and Trump's policies have not earned a national mandate. Clinton still leads Trump 48% to 47% in the popular vote.

In Los Angeles, students converged Monday on Mariachi Plaza, a gathering spot for the city's iconic musicians, and marched to City Hall. The walkout was part of a planned demonstration in the Los Angeles Area School District.

“Although it has been nearly a week since the presidential election, many students remain concerned about the outcome and want their voices to be heard,” Superintendent Michelle King said in a statement released by the district Monday morning. “These are important conversations that need to take place. We want our students to know they are not alone.”

The students carried signs with message such as "Be Kind Not Racist," "We Reject the President Elect" and "Bridges Not Walls." Many of the youths were Latino, and some lifted aloft Mexican and American flags as they trekked down the street. Some protest signs were in Spanish.