Anti-Trump protesters march down SF’s Market Street

Strong winds and rain didn’t stop several hundred demonstrators from marching through the streets of downtown San Francisco on Saturday, continuing a string of nationwide protests against President-elect Donald Trump.

Standing under umbrellas and donning water-resistant jackets, crowds walked along Market Street as they have done in previous days, with new chants like “Donald Trump says ‘go back,’ we say ‘fight back’” and “Move Trump, get out the way. Get out the way Trump, get out the way.”

The marchers, who emerged from a peaceful noon rally at Civic Center Plaza organized by the social justice group Answer Coalition, were escorted by police officers, who directed traffic. Minor backups were reported in the area until demonstrators returned to the plaza shortly before 3 p.m.

“When you look at the first appointment(s) Trump has made, that represents the core of power in the new Trump administration,” said Richard Becker, an activist with Answer Coalition who spoke to the crowd as his poncho rustled in the wind. “What they have in store we do not yet exactly know, but we can know this: It’s nothing good.”

An anti-Trump protest makes it's way to Market St. in San Francisco on November 19, 2016. An anti-Trump protest makes it's way to Market St. in San Francisco on November 19, 2016. Photo: Susana Guerrero Photo: Susana Guerrero Image 1 of / 84 Caption Close Anti-Trump protesters march down SF’s Market Street 1 / 84 Back to Gallery

Since beating Democrat Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 election, Trump has begun assembling his White House team, picks that critics say align with a far-right agenda, alienate many Americans and are cheered by white nationalists.

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions has been selected for attorney general, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn for national security adviser and Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo as head of the CIA.

Linda Campbell, 62, of Muir Beach held up a rainbow umbrella to keep her close-cropped gray hair from getting wet. She said she has spent years fighting for gay rights and women’s rights and doesn’t want the country to “go backward.” When she was growing up in Arkansas, she said, black and white people drank from separate water fountains.

“We’re here because we can’t believe people elected this man to represent us when he represents racism, sexism and” antigay sentiment, she said. “We feel powerless, but we feel there is power in coming together.”

Organizers of Saturday’s demonstration had described the event as a way to foster solidarity amid economic inequality, poverty and “an administration threatening to deny climate change, rights for immigrants, women and LGBTQ people, and all historically oppressed communities.”

A new chant that I assume is Ludacris-inspired goes "move, Trump, get out the way. Get out the way Trump get out the way." pic.twitter.com/ELNnQdaFpk — Jenna Lyons (@JennaJourno) November 19, 2016

While Trump was the focus of the activities, speakers also addressed the conflict in Syria, police brutality and the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Bay Area is among dozens of places across the country where demonstrators have protested Trump during the past week and a half. Thousands marched in San Francisco and Oakland the day after the election.

The events have often disrupted traffic and shut down roads and freeways. Among the most violent demonstrations were last week’s protests in Oakland where a handful of police officers were injured in skirmishes with marchers and a 20-year-old woman was struck and injured by a Honda Element. Several downtown businesses were vandalized by splinter groups.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno