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The Yes California movement have announced they will file a formal request for independence with the Secretary of State’s Office in the state’s capital on August 31. If it is approved there could be a vote to decide if the referendum, dubbed “Calexit”, will take place. The group posted on Twitter: “The special date is August 31, 2020.

“It’s when we file our new independence referendum ballot initiative so it is cleared for circulation on November 4, 2020 - the day after Donald Trump is reelected president. “Californians will need an avenue to react. “It will be Calexit.” The movement became popular after Mr Trump was elected president of the US back in 2016.

The Yes California movement is against Donald Trump

Only 40 percent of people in California voted for Mr Trump, with his opponent Hillary Clinton proving more popular. The group’s former leader Louis Marinelli said Californians are hoping to legally become their own independent country. He also compared the movement to Brexit and the Scottish Independence vote. Mr Marinelli told CNN: “Whereas Brexit vote was a succession from the European Union – our Calexit will be a succession from the American union.” READ MORE: Calexit! California prepares landmark referendum to break away from US

The Yes California movement have announced they will file a formal request for independence

“But it’s more like the Scottish independence referendum because we are trying to become our own independent country.” The group says on its website: “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.” Current leader Marcus Ruiz Evans added Calexit, short for California exit, was a protest against Mr Trump. DON'T MISS

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California has seen other movements over the years

He said: “Calexit is left — we are progressive, and that’s why we don’t like Trump. “But there are some very hardcore Republican concepts to Calexit, including the group saying don’t waste our tax money.” Yes California is also confident the state is capable of becoming its own country. This is because it says its has the world’s fifth-largest economy.

Only 40 percent of people in California voted for Mr Trump

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