Thousands of demonstrators turned out Monday across the U.S. to challenge Donald Trump in a Presidents Day protest dubbed Not My President's Day.
The protests on the federal holiday didn't draw nearly as many people as the million-plus who thronged the streets following the Republican president's inauguration a month earlier, but the message was similar.
Thousands of flag-waving protesters lined up outside Central Park in Manhattan. Many in the crowd chanted "No ban, no wall. The Trump regime has got to fall." They held aloft signs saying "Uphold the Constitution Now" and "Impeach the Liar."
Nova Calise, one of the New York City organizers, said Presidents Day was "a perfect time to protest the person that's currently holding the title of President of the United States," adding Trump didn't share the values of those demonstrating Monday.
A rally in downtown Los Angeles also drew thousands. Demonstrators there called attention to Trump's crackdown on immigration and his party's response to climate change and the environment. Organizers said they chose to rally on the holiday as a way to honor past presidents by exercising their constitutional right to assemble and peacefully protest. They chanted: "Love not hate makes America great."
In Chicago, several hundred rallied across the river from the Trump Tower, shouting "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go."
Rebecca Wolfram of Chicago, who's in her 60s, said concerns about climate change and immigrant rights under Trump prompted her to start attending rallies.
"I'm trying to demonstrate as much as possible until I figure out what else to do," said Wolfram, who held a sign that said "Old white ladies are really displeased."
Several hundred demonstrated in Washington, D.C. Dozens gathered around the fountain in Dupont Circle chanting "Dump Trump" and "Love, not hate: That's what makes America great."
Dozens marched through midtown Atlanta for a rally named with a Georgia flavor: "ImPEACH NOW! (Not My) President's Day March."
Hundreds of protesters chanting "This is what democracy looks like" marched through Salt Lake City.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the crowd marched to push back against Trump and his administration's stance on such issues as the environment, immigration, free speech and Russia.
Some people raised signs that said "Not My President," while others held up a large American flag. Protester Reg Brookings warned the crowd that Trump is trying to divide the country by making such groups as immigrants the enemy.
A small but unruly group of protesters faced off with police in downtown Portland, Oregon.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the police confronted the crowd in front of the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building. Police took some people into custody.
Hundreds of Trump opponents and supporters turned out in Rapid City, South Dakota.
A larger anti-Trump faction stood on a street corner as part of a "Not My President" protest, similar to other demonstrations being held across the country. A group supporting the president lined up on a different corner at the same intersection. Police were on hand and the groups remained peaceful.
The Rapid City Journal reported the anti-Trump protesters held up posters including some reading, "Make America Think Again" and "Build bridges, not walls." Supporters of the president waved American flags and held signs saying "God Bless our Presidents; Go Trump" and "Veterans for Trump."
Student Reaction:
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Brevin Willis, freshman natural resources major “Trump shouldn't have been president. I think the protests are causing more trouble. The term fits me because I feel like he's not my president.” |
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Alexandra Presley, junior journalism and telecommunications major “I think protests are beneficial to an extent but I don't think missing class and standing out there saying he's a bad president is going to do much. I think it's an eye-opener for people but I think the people that voted for him are small-minded. I think 'not my president' is a stupid term. I like the term 'Obama's still my president because he kind of represents us more.'” |
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Haileigh Hennings, sophomore health education major “The Trump protests are beneficial if they're like, standing up for something. I don't really consider him my president. I feel like people should calm down for a little bit and see what he does, if he continues to do the things he's been doing then they should start protesting again.” |
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Ross Williams, freshman construction management major “I think the term is dumb because he's our president now, there's nothing we can do about it. Protests don't really help anything, it's just a bunch of people missing work and not doing anything.” |
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