If you're angry, sickened, scared, depressed, insulted, or grieving over the fact that, for at least the next four years, Donald Trump is running the country, then maybe it's time to close the laptop, hit the streets, and exercise your First Amendment rights while you still can. Numerous anti-Trump public protests are being planned in NYC in the coming days, details below.
At 6:30 p.m. Thursday night (tonight), the NYU Muslim Student Association is holding a Rise Above Hate Rally on the grand staircase of the Kimmel Center for University Life (located in Union Square). The rally has been organized in response to pro-Trump graffiti that was found on the door to a Muslim Prayer room at NYU's Tandon School of Engineering Wednesday morning. Those interested in getting more involved with the Muslim Student Association can fill out this google form.
From 2 until 7 p.m. Friday afternoon, there'll be a "Love Rally" in Washington Square Park. Organizers are calling on New Yorkers to stand together in support of Muslims, women, the disabled, latino/latina/latinx persons, and "everyone else Donald Trump has put down to get this far." Also, the Love Rally seemingly hopes to avoid the civil disobedience often associated with New York protests. There's a hope of keeping things kid-friendly.
"Please focus on positivity! Ideally, this will be an excellent way for those of us with children to expose them to a positive response to Trump's bully tactics," organizers wrote in a Facebook post. "We'll have a megaphone to share our affirmations of love, a banner to write on, and hopefully lots of loving signs!" Attendees are encouraged to wear red as a means of taking Trump's color away from him. The last important thing to note is that Trump supporters themselves are encouraged to attend. "This event will not be explicitly anti-Trump...Trump supporters are welcome at this rally to express that their support from him DOES NOT INCLUDE support for this hate speech," the event description reads.
Finally, the big one's on Saturday. Beginning at noon, a Trump Is Not My President rally similar to the one that saw thousands of angry demonstrators surround Trump Tower last night will kick off in Union Square Park. At 3 p.m., the organizers plan to take to the streets and shut down traffic as the rally moves up to to Trump Tower. The terms are simple: "Join us in the streets! Stop Trump and his bigoted agenda! Divided is the reason we just fell. We must unite despite our differences to stop HATE from ruling the land." Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, snacks, and water.
