Well, we'll never know for sure since that's not what happened, so I don't think it's a valid argument. But agree with it or not, it is a fact that Trump led a very racist-filled rhetoric campaign and people are scared. Most of the protests, from what I've read are anti-racism protests, and also protesting the election results where the majority vote-getter didn't win. (Yeah, I know, that's a separate discussion and our system is what it is unless/until it's changed, but change sometimes begins with protest.) But as to the racism, it has amped up. I was talking to the building engineer of my building this morning. He's American, born in this country, a citizen of this country, with Puerto Rican ancestry. He said that he's experienced racism throughout his life, and that it has amped up quite a bit in recent months. A friend of his just this morning was told, 'Go home, spic!' I know that not everyone who voted for Trump is racist, and I know that many had other reasons for doing so, but nonetheless, they did vote for someone who has emboldened a segment of the population to do hateful things.