SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A few hundred people, young and old, locals and visitors, business owners, teachers, students, and hourly workers joined in a peaceful protest and march on Saturday in South Lake Tahoe. After an hour of inspiring speeches, the group marched from Lakeview Commons to Ski Run Blvd. with a colorful and creative assortment of flags and messages on signs that supported the rights of the LBGTQ+ community, immigrants and refugees, women, black and Indigenous people, and the environment.
Lake Tahoe Pride joined Access Tahoe/Peace Love Tahoe, Zensational Yoga Therapy, and the South Lake Tahoe Solidarity Network in sponsoring the “Rise Together” event.
Originally planned as a human rights event after actions made by the new administration in Washington threatened the rights of many in the community, especially those who are queer or trans. It was postponed due to rain on February 1. The focus grew after anti-immigrant statements were made by the Tahoe Heartbeat owner on Facebook that weekend.
“We march peacefully and in solidarity because we know that the current administration’s agenda is to divide all people living in this country and to erode our collective power,” said organizer Michael Hobbs of Lake Tahoe Pride told South Tahoe Now. “We question any leader spreading such disingenuous rhetoric about the migrants and trans people in our communities, who simply want to live and improve their lives. We must question any authority who so clearly aims to stir up violence, empower bullies, and weaponize fear against good and hardworking people.”
“We cannot change the past, but we need to take responsibility for the future,” said Laura Salinas during the protest. She thanked her parents for giving her the life she now has in South Lake Tahoe, saying she is her “ancestor’s wildest dream, I wouldn’t be here without them.” She earned a master’s degree in counseling and is currently the director of Equity and Student Wellness at Lake Tahoe Community College. “This is not just an immigrant issue, it is a human issue,” said Salinas as she gave a speech in both English and Spanish.
“We are a community rooted in love, unity, and kindness,” said Salinas.
The speakers told stories of unity and togetherness, and how the community is stronger together, and if one falls, they all fall, but if one rises, everyone rises. Everyone attending had their own reasons to protest and march, but all were centered around showing their support for others in the community.
Dr. Annie Davidson told the gathered crowd to watch out for those that want to, “Break us apart by the fault lines that divide us.”
“You belong, you are worthy, you are appropriate,” said Davidson.
So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. I have a dream. – Part of Martin Luther King’s I have a Dream speech that Davidson repeated.
South Tahoe High Student Quinn of the school’s Ally Club passionately spoke of the need for all kids to feel safe at school, even if they don’t feel safe in the community or at home.
“When minorities come together, we become the majority,” said Quinn. “We can make a difference!”
The head protest organizer and march marshal Zephyr Kao said the Rise Together protest came together from something many share – anger, fear, and grief in response “to the appalling and expedient policies coming from our federal government.”
So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. – King
