SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)—Thousands of people participated in a non-violent rally in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza Saturday afternoon against President Trump’s order blocking refugees from entering the United States.

The demonstration started at 3 p.m. with people sharing their stories about immigration.

Speakers from different immigration groups across the Bay Area spoke at the event. It was designed to create an atmosphere where people can feel comfortable sharing their trials and tribulations about coming into the country.

People were asked to bring signs and explain why they believe President Trump’s recent executive orders are horrendous. Hateful and violent speech was not allowed at the rally.

Although Dina Cehand is making light of recent statements made by Kelly Ann Conway, she says the President’s recent order which bars Syrian refugees indefinitely and also denies entry for 90-days for individuals from seven majority Muslim countries is no laughing matter.

“It does get worse everyday, everyday I open up my phone and I think maybe it will have ended and it hasn’t,” Cehand said.

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Several speakers took the stage including former U.S. Representative Mike Honda.

“Asian Americans, Japanese Americans in particular have not forgotten the lesson, the things that happen to us, it’s an American lesson that’s a blotch on the history of this country, it should not happen again,” Honda said.

Other speakers concerned with the Presidents recent threats against “sanctuary cities.”

“If the President does follow through with that threat we’re going to take him to court, San Francisco already has, we were the first in the nation to say that an attack on sanctuary cities was unconstitutional and against the law and so we’ll fight him in the courts,” one speaker said.

While Each speaker told their own story and how recent actions affect them, they all had a common thread which was the importance of speaking out.

“Showing up, standing up and speaking up have never been more important than they are today,” one speaker said.

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