Campaign underway to make California a separate country

As the Bay Area bleeds blue, some Silicon Valley giants want no part of living and working under a Trump presidency.

By Kristen Sze

Thursday, November 10, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO --

There is a campaign underway for California to become its own nation, led in large part by Shervin Pishevar, an early investor in Uber. He's funding a campaign for the Golden State to secede from the union.

New California Republic Flag #newcalifornia pic.twitter.com/RXaigSCHPl
— Shervin (@shervin) November 10, 2016

Pishevar, who hosted a fundraiser for Clinton in July, resigned from the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

He tells President Obama that he, "cannot serve President Trump with a good conscience."

1/With my resignation from Fulbright Board, I ask everyone of conscience to boycott the Trump Presidency and resign their political posts.
— Shervin (@shervin) November 9, 2016

Venture Capitalist Paul Holland, who recently hosted Tim Kaine, spoke about the secession idea.

"If anybody would be able to do it, it would be California. It's the sixth largest economy. It's relatively self-sufficient int hat we can provide most of our food and most of our own labor," said Holland.

Shervin Pishevar told me that the chances of a California secession are "very high."https://t.co/4HvERQSJVU
— kvb (@kristenvbrown) November 9, 2016

The hashtag #CalExit started trending Tuesday night.

But there is push back. Some say Pishevar and his tech supporters should focus on working to improve and not leave the United States.

1/ If Trump wins I am announcing and funding a legitimate campaign for California to become its own nation.
— Shervin (@shervin) November 9, 2016

2/Most patriotic thing to do is to questioning idea of a federation of states & calling a new constitutional convention for systemic change
— Shervin (@shervin) November 9, 2016

3/It's the most patriotic thing we can do. Country is at serious crossroads.
We can reenter the union after California becomes a nation.
— Shervin (@shervin) November 9, 2016

4/As 6th largest economy in world, economic engine of nation, provider of a large % of federal budget, California carries a lot of weight.
— Shervin (@shervin) November 9, 2016

5/We need to have serious national dialogue about our culture, values & rampant sexism, racism and hate that Trump campaign has exposed.
— Shervin (@shervin) November 9, 2016

6/ Calling for a temporary withdrawal of support during the dark Trump Presidency. Re-entry after a constitutional convention convened.
— Shervin (@shervin) November 9, 2016

7/Removing Electoral College would be one of changes needed. Small states with little diversity shouldn't determine Presidency.
— Shervin (@shervin) November 9, 2016