Thousands of protesters gathered and marched in downtown San José in a nationwide movement to criticize President Donald Jr. Trump’s administration actions as president.
The protesters gathered on Saturday at noon at St. James Park, a little over half a mile away from the San José State downtown campus.
The protesters marched in a circle from the park and back after passing San José City Hall.
Ariel Ranker, an organizer for #50501, said her group counted thatw
around 5,000 protesters came to the protest.
“It's amazing to see this much solidarity from people in every single state,” Ranker said. “Even (in) red states, even (in) swing states, people are coming out to voice their opinions.”
#50501, which stands for 50 protests in 50 states for one movement, is a national grassroots movement and is a decentralized rapid response to “anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration” and his allies, according to its website.
The movement received traction in the community r/50501 on Reddit and spread rapidly through
A
“Keep Your
social media, according to the same website.
Ranker said she is worried about abortion rights and people being arrested without due process, but her biggest concern is that the government is violating people’s Constitutional rights.
“This is America, and this is a country where everyone is supposed to be welcome, and we do not want our citizens living in fear because nobody deserves that,” she said. “I want our country back - honestly to at least where it was before - and so that we can start working towards a better future.”
Supervisor Susan Ellenberg for District 4 in Santa Clara County said it is always energizing to be part of something bigger than the community in San José and Santa
Clara County.
“This is people coming together with so many different priorities but those priorities are united by a
This
is America and this is a country where everyone is supposed to be welcome and we do not want our citizens living in fear because nobody deserves that.
Ariel Ranker Organizer for #50501
belief that our country needs to run by the rule of law, needs to take responsibility for the people that are least able to care for themselves and needs to operate in a way that is free of corruption and bias,” Ellenburg said.
Romaine Charite, a third-year philosophy student at San José State who uses they/she pronouns, said the Trump administration has made multiple attacks on the education system and student rights.
Charite said that events like the protest on Saturday are important and that it is important to see the government’s attempt to overwhelm people.
“It’s important that we show up and show that we're involved in this fight against Trump’s agenda,” Charite said.
PHOTOS BY ALINA TA | SPARTAN DAILY
A
Off!’ protesters hold handmade signs expressing their frustration at the Trump administration while gathering in St. James Park.
District 4 Supervisor Susan Ellenberg of Santa Clara County encourages protesters in San José at St. James Park during the ‘Hands Off!’ protest on Saturday afternoon.
José.
Spartans brings attention to awareness month
By Anahi Herrera Villanueva CONTRIBUTOR
San José State’s Student Wellness Center is preparing several workshops and programs to bring attention to sexual assault awareness month.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is about awareness and prevention of sexual assault, harassment and abuse.
Movements for change began to gain momentum during the movements in the 1940s and ’50s where notable people like Rosa Parks and other women of color came together to advocate for gender-based violence. Teal is the official color of SAAM, according to the History of Sexual Assault Awareness Month webpage.
Alex Martinez, a secondyear sociology student, shared the importance of highlighting how sexual harassment and assault can impact anyone.
“I think there is already a stigma surrounding sexual harassment and assault that bringing awareness is super important,” Martinez said.
April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which calls attention to sexual abuse, assault and harassment that can impact any person in any community, according to a different National Sexual Violence Resource Center webpage.
Around 81% of women and 43% of men experience some sort of sexual
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Marie, who used to work for Santa Clara County at the public guardian’s office, said she chose to spend her first day in retirement at the protest after working for the county for the past seven years.
Marie requested to use a pseudonym because she is concerned the federal government may target her old colleagues and employers for speaking up for them.
She also said she is worried she may struggle to access her Supplemental
harassment or assault in their lifetime, according to a 2018 national study on sexual harassment and assault from Stop Street Harassment.
“It can happen to all genders and even those in relationships, so having those resources on campus is necessary,” Martinez said.
Sexual assault is defined as a sexual act that is forced against someone’s will, while sexual harassment has a broader definition that can include sexually explicit slurs and physical harassment such as indecent exposure without consent, according to the same national study.
While the Student Wellness Center holds resources year-round available to all students about safer sex, the center also has workshops for paying special attention to specific topics, such as its March 27 Sober Sex Workshop. This workshop held an
Security Income, Medicare and Medicaid benefits because funding cuts enacted by the Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Supplemental Security Income is monthly payments from the Social Security Administration that provide older adults and people with disabilities who have little or no income or resources, according to the administration’s webpage.
“I’m doing this because we want to get our benefits,”
Marie said. “We're ready, we’re done working and we’re flooding their office with work. I just got my Medicare card.”
DOGE is tracking over
open discussion on consent, substance use and overall safer sex practices, according to a March 17 Instagram post from the Wellness Center.
Along with the Sober Sex Workshop, the Student Wellness Center will also be hosting a series of workshops throughout the month of April, according to an April 2 post on the Student Wellness Center’s Instagram page.
The series of workshops is in collaboration with SJSU Survivor Advocacy Services and SJSU Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) in which exploration, learning one's boundaries, hearing one's body and knowing the different types of healing options that are available are discussed at the workshops, according to the same April 2 post.
Arlene Abella, a resident assistant at SJSU and a thirdyear kinesiology student, plans to share resources with
20 federal government departments, including the Social Security Administration, according to its website.
Around $1 billion of contracts between the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) and over 20 federal government programs and departments were canceled in January, according to a Jan. 29 X (formerly Twitter) post from DOGE.
This includes the Social Security Administration and the Dept. of Education, according to the same X post from DOGE.
Marie said she used to work with federal workers involved in Supplemental
those living in her hall.
“At least with my residents, I promote the wellness center (Student Wellness Center) for free sex products or sanitary products like condoms or tampons,” Abella said.
At Survivor Advocacy Services, a confidential environment is provided for students and staff who have been impacted by sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking through services such as crisis counseling, according to a Student Wellness Center webpage.
“These programs are important to educate residents to expose them to subjects that might not be frequently talked about to them, especially freshmen. I just prepared them for situations that are common in college,” Abella said.
CAPS is a service provided through the Student Wellness Center for students who need psychological support
via counselors available at the center, according to the CAPS webpage.
The center also provides sex education and free safer sex option products like dental dams and lubricants, according to the Healthy Sexuality section on the Wellness Center webpage.
“I think the promotion of these workshops have been good, but with topics like this, I think it's important to try to reach as big of an audience as possible and I always try to know what upcoming events that can help students are coming up,” Abella said.
Finn Albano, a first-year pre-nursing student, is aware of and utilizes some of the resources that the Student Wellness Center provides.
“I’ve been using their gender affirming care like HRT (hormone replacement therapy),” Albano said. “I've been getting testosterone from them for about a
month, but I have heard of some of the workshops that the student wellness is having throughout this month.”
Gender-affirming care is designed to support and affirm someone’s gender identity, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. At SJSU specifically, hormone-replacement therapy, psychological support and surgical procedures are used to affirm someone’s preferred identity, according to the Student Wellness Center’s health services webpage.
“I'm glad these workshops are available for all students as it really can affect anyone from any community,” Albano said.
Beyond these workshops, the Gender Equity Center, PRIDE Center, Student Conduct and Ethical Development, Student Involvement and Office for Title IX and Equal Opportunity are also co-sponsoring and hosting programs under #SJSUSAAM that any student is welcome to participate in, according to the SJSU Gender Equity Center webpage.
“I felt very well informed when I was making this decision about my health,” Albano said. “The staff there were also really nice and knowledgeable on the topics they present to the student body.”
Security Income, Medicare and Medical benefits frequently when she was an employee at Santa Clara County’s Public Administrator, Guardian and Conservator’s Office.
“It's very disturbing to me, the way our federal workers are being treated,” Marie said. “They’re very necessary in our society. They don't get paid a lot here.”
Ellenburg said she is also concerned about the funding cuts to
Medicare and Medi-Cal – California’s program for Medicaid – will affect the county and its residents.
Around 30% of Santa Clara County’s revenue comes from the federal government, according to a webpage from the county.
Three hospitals and 13 clinics in the Santa Clara Valley Healthcare network are partially funded by the federal government, according to a flyer
from the county.
“What I do genuinely worry about are negative repercussions to my county,” Ellenburg said. “The thought of residents being harmed by further pullback of federal dollars, by punishments directed specifically at Santa Clara County, are a real concern.”
ANAHI HERRERA VILLANUEVA SPARTAN DAILY
Hundreds of protesters gather in front of the San José Superior Court Building.
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PHOTOS BY ALINA TA | SPARTAN DAILY
San José residents gather and hold up signs protesting the Trump administration.
Warner Bros. crafts new blockbuster
By Nicole DeVries STAFF WRITER
The new live-action film adaptation, “A Minecraft Movie,” brings Mojang Studios’ sandbox game – first released in 2011, according to IGN – to the big screen with a chaotic, nostalgic story that mostly delivers.
The film follows Henry, played by Sebastian Hansen, and a group of misfits who find themselves trapped inside Minecraft’s overworld while navigating its rules.
Jack Black delivers an iconic performance as Steve, the original game’s protagonist, bringing the character to life with a blend of energy and relatability.
Black captures Steve’s essence while adding
his own flair, making the character feel fresh yet faithful to fan expectations. In the movie is a contentious dynamic between Steve and the other characters, especially Henry and Jason Momoa’s character, Garrett Garrison. Garrison is a former arcade champion clinging to the fantasy of his past glory, growing increasingly jealous of Steve’s success in the world of Minecraft.
The main characters’ contrasting personalities spark moments of levity and emotional depth while making the film’s stakes feel personal.
The directors effectively incorporate Minecraft’s logic – crafting, mining, and mobs – without resorting to a tutorial or
excessive fan service.
By using these elements to drive the narrative, the film focuses on storytelling while continuing to stay true to the game.
it challenging to focus, especially in a scene when a villager is on a date sitting across from actress Jennifer Coolidge as Vice Principal Marlene.
YouTuber Technoblade is woven in when a pig appears wearing a golden crown and Steve reacts, “That's a legend.”
This quiet homage
when the ’80s references, particularly with Momoa’s character and the arcadeinspired elements, feel out of place.
Minecraft became a sensation in the 2010s, and the inclusion of elements from a different decade seems like an attempt to cater to an audience that doesn’t fully connect with the world of Minecraft.
Visually, the film takes creative liberties with Minecraft’s design, making it unique to the cinematic experience.
While this approach added some originality, it
The skeletons, creepers and the other Minecraft creatures are creepy enough to evoke a sense of danger and tension but also feel slightly off in terms of design.
honors Technoblade, who tragically passed away from cancer at 23 years old in 2022, according to CNN. The scene serves as a heartfelt moment for long-time Minecraft fans.
– sheep, villagers, etc. – sport distinct and often unsettling facial expressions, which makes
The balance between maintaining Minecraft’s familiar aesthetic and introducing new visual elements sometimes creates a disjointed feeling.
However, the creators of the film did a great job of balancing fan service by paying tribute to the many YouTubers, players, and gaming moments that are important to Minecraft fans.
A touching tribute to the late Minecraft
As someone who grew up loving the game and the content around it, I still find myself returning to Minecraft for the same sense of nostalgia the movie captures so well.
The reference is also a reminder of the real-world impact Minecraft has had on millions, especially within its strong YouTube community.
However, while these fan service moments are great, there are times
Despite its visual inconsistencies, “A Minecraft Movie” offers an entertaining experience for fans of all ages as the film embraces its creative roots. Its lighthearted nature, humor, and overall sense of adventure are refreshing, providing a much-needed escape for movie viewers into the Minecraft universe, where anything is possible.
The film doesn’t attempt to be a groundbreaking cinematic masterpiece, but the nostalgic memories for fans and the energy I felt in the theater created an overall vibrant, enjoyable experience.
GRAPHIC BY NICOLE DEVRIES, PHOTOS FROM FLICKR
GAME RECAP
Gators sneak by Cougars in championship
By Israel Archie SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The University of Houston men’s basketball team had a chance to tie or win the game but lost control of the ball in the last few seconds. As the buzzer went off, all that remained was the sight of gleeful University of Florida Gators and crying Cougars.
The No.1 West seed University of Florida won its third NCAA title after defeating the Midwest No.1 seed Houston 65-63. The title is Florida's first since 2007.
Monday’s victory for the Gators follows their Final Four win on Saturday against Auburn University; another close game winning by six.
As for Houston, the Cougars had the opportunity to compete in the championship thanks to their comeback effort against Duke University on Saturday.
The Blue Devils and the
Tigers were also first seeds in their respective divisions, making the Final Four all No.1 seeds for the first time since 2008, according to an April 5 article published on Saturday from USA Today.
The matchup was hard fought on both sides with neither team allowing the other to pull away, as the largest lead of the game was only 12 points when the Cougars led the Gators in the second half 42-30.
It seemed a little grim for the Gators in the first half as their leading scorer in the tournament, guard Walter Clayton Jr. went scoreless in the first half going 0-5
from the field with four of those shots being 3-point attempts.
Luckily, guard Will Richard was able to keep the team afloat dropping 14 points in the first half. He went on to finish the game with 18 points shooting 50% from the field, an efficient 57.1% from behind the arc and going perfect from the free throw line.
Clayton Jr. eventually found his footing in the second half scoring 11 points on 3 for 5 shooting and 1 for 3 from deep.
Cougar guard L.J. Cryer was the leading scorer for Houston, bringing in
19 points with 12 coming from the 3-point line with four threes.
Cryer’s scoring helped contribute to the team’s three point lead at the end of the first half.
Regarding the Cougars scoring, Cryer was the only player who had double figures as the second leading scorer, guard Mylik Wilson had nine points.
Florida outshot Houston from the field and freethrow line. The Gators made 39.6% of their shots compared to the Cougars 34.8% and made 81% of their free throws compared to the Cougars’s 64.3%.
even from downtown with Florida shooting 25% compared to Houston’s 24%.
Both teams were nearly even with Florida Houston s 24% Gator forward A lex also his team productivity and 55.6%
Alex Condon also gave his team some productivity, scoring 12 points and shooting 55.6% from the field.
Florida was also slightly better on the 40 boards while the Cougars
better on the glass, grabbing 40 boards while the Cougars grabbed 39.
Although the Gators had four more turnovers than Houston, the Cougars got into foul trouble, racking up 19 personal fouls which
