On Tuesday, Jan. 20 community members will gather for the Santa Barbara Free America Walkout, a collective act of protest and civic resistance marking one year into Donald Trump’s second presidency, Women’s March Santa Barbara has announced.

The walkout will take place 2-5 p.m. at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court building, 1100 Anacapa St., with participants arriving and departing throughout the afternoon.

Organizers describe the action as both “a protest and a promise — a refusal to normalize policies that have resulted in immigration raids, family separations, militarized policing, mass surveillance, and the use of fear to suppress dissent.”

“2025 showed us the power of marching together,” said Michal Lynch, organizer with Women’s March Santa Barbara. “Now, as the threats grow, our movement must evolve.

“This walkout is about withdrawing our labor, our money, and our consent, and reclaiming our shared future.”

Participants are encouraged to:
Walk out of work, school, or daily routines when possible
; bring signs and gather on street corners; march toward State Street
; share stories, ideas and strategies for collective action
; refrain from spending money during the action
.

“This is about reconnecting with one another,” organizers said. “Talking face-to-face. Sharing ideas. Imagining what comes next.”

For more information and RSVP details, visit https://action.womensmarch.com/events/santa-barbara-free-america-walkout