For some liberal Californians incensed by Donald Trump's election to the presidency over Democrat Hillary Clinton, secession from the United States is the only way forward.
Although observers say the Golden State has little to no chance to ever become a separate country, the idea is appealing for many who are disenchanted with the shock outcome of the vote and say they feel like strangers in a foreign land.
The election result marks a "real division" for California, said Kevin Klowden of the Milken Institute think tank.
"The presidential candidate who lost won California dramatically."
On the other hand, Trump's anti-immigrant platform, his pro-gun stance and his skepticism about climate change couldn't be further away from the views of most Californians.
Shortly after Trump was declared the winner, protesters took to the streets in the state capital Sacramento, Los Angeles and other towns to express their dismay.
The hashtag #Calexit also began trending on social media with many Twitter users pairing it with #notmypresident.
"I cannot identify with bigotry, sexism, xenophobia," one Twitter user wrote. "I'm no longer American, I am Californian."
Silicon Valley venture capitalist Shervin Pishevar, who is Iranian-American, said he was willing to bankroll a secessionist campaign.
"If Trump wins, I am announcing and funding a legitimate campaign for California to become its own nation," he tweeted on Tuesday as the unexpected election outcome sunk in.
He said the new nation would be called New California.
Mark Baldassare, head of the Public Policy Institute of California, said although the idea of seceding is unrealistic, it reflects the state's long history of thinking outside the box.
With a population of nearly 40 million, California is one of the most diverse states in America, with whites outnumbered by Hispanics and members of other ethnic groups,
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