Thousands of protesters converge upon Trump Tower in Manhattan, arrests made

Josh Einiger Image
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Arrests made during protests outside Trump Tower in Midtown
Josh Einiger has the story.

UNION SQUARE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Hordes of angry voters materialized practically out of the blue around Union Square on Wednesday evening.

They caught police by surprise with their sheer numbers.

Thousands upon thousands were called together on Facebook to release a giant collective, anguished, primal scream.

"We're just people who are here who love this country as much as any other person does, and right now what we're showing is love that we love our country," a protester said.

"We're very scared of what's going to happen to the LGBT community, to women, to people of color. We're terrified," another protester said.

"There is love in this nation and we are going to fight for love," a demonstrator said.

1 of 14
Protesters demonstrate on Fifth Avenue outside Trump Tower, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, in New York, in opposition of Donald Trump's presidential election victory.
AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

This crowd appeared to be bigger than any protest during the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City.

"Donald Trump go away, racist, sexist, anti-gay," protesters shouted.

They marched for 40 blocks and arrived at their destination, the home of President-Elect Donald Trump. Trump Tower was overrun by thousands, if not tens of thousands of New Yorkers, awakened to a reality that to them seemed so unthinkable.

"I'm a very, very, proud New Yorker tonight. We're angry, we're sad we're fed up; we're going to fight against it. This is a huge wakeup call for us," a protester said.

It wasn't clear if anyone believed something would come of this protest.

Most understand Trump was elected fair and square in the Electoral College. After all, that is how democracy works, but so is this.

"He did win the electoral vote that is a fact. I do believe, however, that the majority of Americans do not want this man to be President of the United States," a protester said.

At least 15 people were arrested, most for disorderly conduct.