Scene Report: Bay Area Fights Against Threat of Federal Agent Surge

In response to President Donald Trump’s threats to send a surge of federal agents into the Bay Area, residents took to the streets immediately on October 23rd, 2025 in a planned mobilization as a response. Bay Area Current attended two demonstrations in the Bay Area. 

In Oakland, a rally was held at Fruitvale BART station followed by a march to the entrance of Coast Guard Island. Earlier in the morning, Customs and Border Protection agents arrived at Coast Guard Island and were greeted with a demonstration.

Earlier in the day, Trump seemingly called off a federal agent enforcement surge to San Francisco. It was unclear how San Francisco being spared of a surge would apply to the rest of the Bay Area, or if Trump’s reported stance of holding back could be trusted at all. In response, a plan to march at Embarcadero Station in San Francisco proceeded as originally planned. 

We spoke to participants at the two events about what brought them out that day, their skepticism on Trump’s messaging, and what the Bay Area can do in response to a possible federal escalation with the National Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

FROM OAKLAND'S COAST GUARD RALLY

Trayvon — Oakland Resident

Why did you turn out today?

My grandparents are from Mexico and came here illegally and now I'm here.

How do you want to see organizations and unions mobilize against ICE surges?

I want the Bay to respond with strength and power, to let the government and the world know that we're not fucking (around).

Michelle Vecchio-Lyzenga — Pastor in Berkeley

What brought you out today? 

This is my backyard, and I am also a pastor in Berkeley, so showing up here and being present right now is really important to me. I think we've seen [Trump] becoming more bold in his reach, and I think the Bay Area stands really firmly for values of sanctuary and inclusion, so I think this is a target. It stands for a lot for him, so to take on this region I think is part of his tactic and I think by showing up we're saying "No. We're going to stand against that."

What do you make of Trump calling off the surge in SF but not necessarily here in Oakland and the East Bay?

We know that Trump's word does not mean anything. I'm glad that he pulled back. But I think we're a presence here because we know what he's capable of. And even if it's not today or our city, he's doing this elsewhere and at other times so our presence means something.

Tim — Oakland Resident

What do you make of Trump calling off sending federal agents to SF?

I wouldn't trust anything, they just want to probably hit the pressure valve. You know, thinking people won't bother showing up because they said they're not going to come out (with the surge). But I don't think anyone here trusts that. People are going to come out whenever it’s necessary. There are people mobilized in the Bay Area. 

Daniel Kleinman — Oakland Resident, DSA Member

How do you want to see organizations and unions mobilize against ICE surges? 

We need to have solidarity with every cause against oppression —racial justice, sexual justice, and migrant justice. 

We way outnumber them, and we need to get that message back out in the public eye and it’ll grow. I’m a lifelong Oakland resident and activist and that’s our history. The Black Panther Party, the student movements of the 60s and 70s – those old timers are still around to teach us. 

FROM SF'S EMBARCADERO DEMONSTRATION

Jenny — Student at SF State

Why did you decide to come out for the protest?

There are kids who are out here without their parents,and it’s not fair. There are parents out here who are losing their kids because they’re getting deported.

When they take people, they’re not checking if they’re illegal or not. They’re just taking anybody and that’s scary for me because I’m a person who’s brown…  I am a citizen. I have my paperwork and yet I’m still scared as a person of color. And that goes for a lot of other people, not just me. I wish that people could stand up for our communities, especially with ICE coming out here.

Cindy — Peace and Freedom Party Member

Why'd you turn out today?

I came out here today in support of the Latino community. I'm a part of it. I come from a family that has immigrated to the United States and we ourselves have seen just how terrible the conditions are not just for us, but for other marginalized groups and the working class in general.

And what I hope to do today is speak to the working class about how much power we have with this movement, what we can do beyond just protesting, and how we can change people's material conditions.

Knox — Bay Area Resident

How're you feeling about this moment?

It makes me so upset that we have a president and leadership across the billionaire class that is trying to hurt my fellow Americans. I love that I can see Americans of all colors, stripes and origins. It’s fantastic that we are so privileged to live with all these people with all these faces you’ll see in your photos. And the fact that they are threatening and picking on those people for their own gain is absolutely unacceptable. We have the opportunity to do the right thing, to be the change we want to see in the world. This is our opportunity to step up and fight fascism.