Weekend Brings More Anti-Trump Protests across US
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – As US President-elect Donald Trump's administration begins taking shape, thousands poured onto the streets of a divided nation again Saturday to express their frustration at the stunning election result.
From New York to Los Angeles, demonstrators have marched in various American cities for four nights since Trump's unexpected victory Tuesday capped an acrimonious campaign.
While largely peaceful, the protests have resulted in blocked highways and bridges, arrests during clashes with police and the early Saturday shooting of a man at a march in Portland, Oregon.
In Cincinnati, anti-Trump demonstrators were joined by hundreds of people protesting a hung jury in the murder trial of a former University of Cincinnati police officer who fatally shot a black motorist during a July 2015 traffic stop.
In Los Angeles' MacArthur Park, the site of immigrant rights protests over the years, demonstrators took turns Saturday swatting a stick at a piñata resembling Trump.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat, praised the protesters.
"I've been proud of my city, proud of students out there and people who are exercising their patriotic right," he told CNN Saturday.
"I know the headlines are always the few people who jump onto a freeway or two or three people who spray paint something. We'll always deal with lawless behavior. The main story is that Americans, not just in my city but around the country, are saying we want to continue to embrace people regardless of how they worship God, who they love, where they live or even immigration status."
In New York, angry crowds -- some carrying signs with messages such as "Not my president" -- marched to the President-elect's doorstep, Trump Tower, where he lives and works.
Outside the gleaming tower, demonstrators at one point booed at people standing on balconies.
"Words can't describe how disgusted I am that he was elected over Hillary (Clinton)," Shoshi "Rabin" Rabinowitz said Friday night, explaining her motivation for being near Trump Tower.
Fellow protester Nick Truesdale said, "I think he needs to really address all the divisive, hateful things he's said in the past and recant them, denounce them."
Reacting to this week's demonstrations, Trump tweeted Thursday night, "Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!"
The President-elect appeared more conciliatory Friday morning, saying: "Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!"
Among the cities that were scenes of Friday protests were Los Angeles; New Haven, Connecticut; Orlando; Chicago; Boston; Asheville, North Carolina; Nashville; and Columbus, Ohio. There were also marches at schools in Denver and Omaha, Nebraska.
