Thousands of anti-Trump protesters marched from Union Square at 6 p.m. on Wednesday to Trump Tower and blocked off streets near the busy intersection of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, chanting “New York hates you.”
The nationwide protests erupted the day after Donald Trump’s presidential election victory. New York City picked Democratic nominee Clinton with 79 percent of the vote and New York state with 59 percent of the vote.
Two freshmen students from Pratt Institute located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn came to the protest at Union Square. They said the mood on campus was somber. They witnessed students cry, like on many other campuses across the nation, as some worried they are going to get deported, their loans are going to be affected by the market crash or their health insurance is going to be taken away.
“I’m scared,” said Rosemary, 19, who majors in graphic design at Pratt.
“I’m heartbroken. I come from an immigrant family,” said Jooyoung Park, 18, art & design education student.
At the protest by Trump Tower, people were holding signs, such as “End White Supremacy” and “One Step Forward 50 Years Back.” A few climbed vehicles, light poles or trees. Strangers were hugging and some— crying. Taxis, city buses and cars stood still.
Another protest started at 4:30 p.m. at Columbus Circle.
Demonstrations spread across the country in cities like Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, Ore., Dallas, Oakland, Seattle and Washington, and at college campuses in Massachusetts, California and Pennsylvania. They’re scheduled to continue throughout the weekend.
Facebook events were created for many demonstrations. On Friday, Nov. 11, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. there’s going to be a “Love Rally” in Washington Square Park. Organizers are calling to stand together in support of “Muslims, women, those who have disabilities, latinos/latinas/latinx people, and everyone else Donald Trump has put down to get this far know that this country doesn’t hate them.” 8,000 Facebook users responded that they would be present at the rally.
“Not my president” march against Trump is scheduled for Saturday at Union Square at 12 p.m. Then, the march to Trump Tower is at 3 pm. “Divided is the reason we just fell. We must unite despite our differences to stop HATE from ruling the land […] This is a peaceful protest. Violence/vandalism will not be tolerated,” wrote the organizers of the march on Facebook. Almost 10,000 users said they would be attending.
