SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — The movement is nicknamed #Calexit.
It’s being fueled by a group of folks interested in pushing for California’s secession from the United States since Donald Trump won the presidency. The “Yes California” campaign is backing an independence referendum in support of a constitutional exit of the state from the U.S.
About 60 percent of Californian’s voted for the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, in last week’s general election. Because of that, the movement is now getting renewed interest.
“As the sixth largest economy in the world, California is more economically powerful than France and has a population larger than Poland. Point-by-point, California compares and competes with countries, not just the 49 other states,” the campaign’s website said.
The name #Calexit is inspired by the successful #Brexit campaign to secede the United Kingdom from the European Union. Originally viewed as a fringe campaign, the Yes California movement began attractive massive social media attention one night after the election, supporters are now proposing a referendum on the issue in 2019.
The referendum would ask whether voters think California should become an independent country. The main purpose of the referendum is to gauge interest on whether Californians prefer statehood or want to move toward nationhood.
However, a secession is highly unlikely to occur. Politicians in years past have made the same suggestions to the constituents of their respective states — Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry suggested his state might leave the United States in 2009 during the rise of the tea party. That effort never gained traction.
Activists chanting #NotMyPresident in cities from coast-to-coast occupied the streets protesting the election results that made the former reality show star the next president.
Police estimated that thousands of people stood outside New York City’s Trump Tower protesting the president-elect’s positions on immigration and law enforcement.
