3,500+ Join Human Chain Across Golden Gate Bridge After Trump Inauguration [UPDATE]

SAN FRANCISCO – UPDATE, FRIDAY, JAN. 20, 3:55 p.m.

A crowd estimated at 3,500 formed a human chain along the east sidewalk of the Golden Gate Bridge this morning.

The two-hour "performance art piece" called "Bridge Together Golden Gate" was created by Sausalito-based event production company satoriteller.

It was not a protest of President Donald Trump's inauguration today, but more of a demonstration of democracy at an elemental level to prove people could assemble peacefully to share stories and create a place
for togetherness, satoriteller Chief Operating Officer David Morris said.

The event symbolized inclusiveness and democracy, love trumping hate and a rejection hateful rhetoric.

The event's participants, who were urged to wear or bring purple fabric, filled most of the Golden Gate Bridge but did not stretch fully across the span, according to the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.

There were some small gaps including a section near the north end of the bridge. Participants held hands, chanted and moved in a wave formation in several sections, according to the District.

The event was peaceful and went smoothly and traffic was light, California Highway Patrol Officer Andrew Barclay said. The district said participants made excellent use of public transportation instead of personal
vehicles.

Some protests to Trump's inauguration in the country were not peaceful, and San Francisco police made 11 arrests.

"We wanted to plant the seeds of action. This was not a time to protest," Morris said.

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FRIDAY, JAN. 20, 11:05 a.m.

Thousands of people are gathering to form a human chain on the sidewalk across the Golden Gate Bridge this morning.

Sausalito-based Bridge Together Golden Gate said the two-hour event beginning at 10 a.m., an hour after President Donald Trump was inaugurated, is not considered a protest, but an expression of unity.

Organizers said it will be the first human chain across the iconic span and beyond.

"This is a collaborative, grassroots, community-based demonstration and performance art piece," Bridge Together Golden Gate said on its Facebook page.

• RELATED: Trump Protesters Causing Extreme Caltrain Delays

Participants will wear purple as a sign of unity and anti-bullying, the organization said.

The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District said roads to the bridge are expected to be congested and motorists should expect extended travel times.

Parking lots at each end of the bridge will be significantly impacted this morning.

The Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center at the south end is closed to vehicle traffic, but public transit buses, tour buses, ride-sharing vehicles and accessible vehicles will be permitted to drop off and pick up passengers. The Langdon Court parking lot will be closed.

On the north end, Caltrans' parking lot at Vista Point will be managed by the California Highway Patrol and restricted to accommodate the event. Dillingham parking lot will be closed to personal vehicle traffic, but
ride-sharing and accessible vehicles will drop off and pick up passengers.

• ALSO SEE: Bay Area Ramps Up for Tens of Thousands of Trump Inauguration Protesters Expected Over Next Few Days. On the Peninsula, one group is inviting like-minded locals to stand along El Camino Real sidewalks - from SJ to SF - from noon to 1p.m.

--Bay City News/Images via Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Co. Sheriff