Demonstrators hit the streets across America to send President Trump a message — turning the tables on President's Day to hold "Not my Presidents Day" rallies. NY1's Gene Apodaca reports on the New York protest.
Thousands of demonstrators took over several blocks on the Upper West Side joining on Presidents Day to declare Donald Trump not their President.
"Everything about this person is illegitimate he is not my president, never will be," said protester Richard Rice Alan.
The rally began at Columbus Circle but within hours spilled onto Central Park West. Barricades did little to corral the crowds as they marched block-by-block. Many demonstrators denounced the President’s recent travel ban from seven mostly Muslim nations and voicing concerns about his political positions. Roberta Berger traveled all the way from Staten Island to join the mix.
Amy Alken says she came here in support of the LGBT community.
"I feel like some of the people he's surrounding himself with are a threat to the safety of trans people and gay people," Alken said.
While a majority of demonstrators came here to denounce the President, one group representing a Muslim organization came to spread awareness about their religion. Keeping their focus, they say, on the issues and not the man.
"We're not against Trump," said one. "We might be against his policies, we respect him as our President and that is our view as a community"
Also In the crowd, a small group of Trump supporters who stood firm defending his policies.
"This build a wall is not about racism it was very about racism it's about wanting to protect the country you cannot sit here and tell me that wanting to protect the land is wrong," said Trump supporter Asa Lowe.
And organizers said they were hoping to make this a peaceful demonstration. There was a heavy police presence to assure that happened.