A week of protests following the 2016 Presidential election has left a divided nation in turmoil. The noise from anti-Trump protesters has been heard as far north as Canada, and some have even joked about a west coast secession from the United States. Chad Harris, a reporter with Canada’s CFJC Today, shared a tweet of one of the maps after saying “Dear California, Oregon, Washington – I’m sure we can work something out if you want to join Canada. #ElectionNight.”
UPDATED: Someone created a map. #USElection2016 pic.twitter.com/oSd2jok6wh
— Chad Harris (@ChadHarrisBC) November 13, 2016
While his message was clearly tongue-in-cheek, some citizens along the west coast may be taking his offer seriously, or at least wish it was an option. Tom Hall, a social media expert and consultant from Los Angeles was quick to answer the call with a tweet of his own asking “When are we leaving?”
I Like #WestCoastNation!
When are we Leaving?
California, Oregon & Washington say Bye Bye! Nevada U2 🙂#Election2016 pic.twitter.com/oE9LNPTCUW
— Tom Hall ☘ (@TomHall) November 9, 2016
While Tom and others make playful remarks on social media, a pair of Oregonians have gone so far as to actually file a petition for secession from the Union and plan to form their own nation. Known as The Oregon Secession Act, their petition reads
“The Governor and Legislature shall actively pursue Oregon’s peaceful secession from the United State of America. They shall seek secession alone or in conjunction with other states and Canadian provinces that seek to form a new nation, including but not limited to California, Washington,
Hawaii, Nevada, Alaska and British Columbia.”
The petition was received by the election division Secretary of State on November 9th, 2016.