Anti-Trump rallies held as part of 'Not My Presidents Day' demonstration
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Protests are taking place against President Donald Trump Monday, as activists seized on the federal holiday to organize "Not My Presidents Day" rallies in cities around the country.
Demonstrations were held in cities around the U.S. this weekend to support Muslim Americans and to protest Trump's immigration policies.
Thousands took to the streets Monday in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and as many as two dozen other communities in the latest round of demonstrations.
Thousands gathered at noon outside the Trump International Hotel at Columbus Circle, with the crowd stretching north on Central Park West in what is being called a peaceful protest to oppose Trump's policies.
The atmosphere was almost carnival-like, but the message couldn't have been more clear.
"He's not my president, and I think it's important to continue resistance against this," protester Mickey Green said.
The protest was just one block north of the Trump International Hotel.
"We don't have a real president who can run this great country," protester Hafeez Abdool said.
The gathering was intended to illustrate the widespread disagreement with many of the policies of the Trump Administration, with immigration rights top of mind for many who showed up.
"I'm not Muslim, I'm not an immigrant, I'm not undocumented," one speaker said. "But I am heartbroken when I see the fear in friends who are those things, and it's empathy. I came out to say that I'm with you."
Others questioned the president's honesty and integrity.
"The lies, the ties to Russia, it also has to be investigated," protester Gloria Feldman said. "This is insanity. This is not my America."
An "I Am A Muslim Too" event was held in Times Square Sunday, organized by several groups, including the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding.
Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke at the rally, saying "we have to dispel the stereotypes" and that America is "a country founded to protect all faiths and all beliefs."
Trump has initiated a crackdown on illegal immigration. He also has called for a temporary ban on people entering the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Eyewitness News viewer @raveninrye (Instagram) shared this view of the protests with #abc7NY:
Eyewitness News Reporter Sandra Bookman also has a peek of the anti-Trump merchandise being sold at the Columbus Circle rally:
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
