NEW YORK — One day after a violent pro-Trump mob swarmed and vandalized the Capitol building, New Yorkers took to the streets Thursday across the five boroughs to call for President Donald Trump to be removed from office for his role, and to denounce what they consider to be a bungled police response to the chaotic failed coup attempt.

"No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA!" chanted protesters in Brooklyn.

Beginning outside the Barclays Center just after 6 P.M. — a site which has played host to dozens of Black Lives Matter protests since the killing of George Floyd — a group of approximately 50 protesters congregated to send a message to the president and the nation at large.

A heavy police force was on the scene from the start, but the protests were peaceful.

In addition to highlighting what they considered inexcusable behavior by the sitting president, protesters called attention to the stark contrast between how law enforcement treated Black Lives Matter protesters over the summer, and how police handled the chaos in D.C.

Independent filmmaker and activist Rhadames Julian spoke with NY1 at the Barclays Center and said digital activism was not enough at a time like this.

"The last time I felt like this was 9/11. I felt hopeless. I was 17. I felt like there was nothing I could do. And this time around, what we saw last night, what we saw yesterday, yo, that's it. The world doesn't need any more proof. People pretend like this doesn't exist. It exists," he said.

Thursday marked the first protest outside the Barclays Center while the Brooklyn Nets played a game at the arena. Before the NBA season began last month, the Nets had not played at the location since the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in March.

By 7 P.M., the demonstrators began marching away from Barclays and down Flatbush Avenue, making their way to Sen. Chuck Schumer's residence on Prospect Park West.

Tensions flared at times as protesters confronted police officers near Schumer's building. Organizers called on protesters to hold all elected officials accountable, not just the commander-in-chief.

"Trump's behavior is completely unacceptable and criminal," protester Sam Kamenetz said. "We need to take action."

Earlier Thursday, Schumer called for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.

In Manhattan, about 20 people gathered outside Times Square to protest. They were part of a group that called itself Refuse Fascism. The group vowed to protest every night until Trump leaves office.

They follow small demonstrations that took place Wednesday night at several places in Manhattan, including outside Trump Tower.

Trump condemned the attack on the Capitol and acknowledged the incoming administration in a video he released Thursday evening, but demonstrators believe another two weeks of this presidency is dangerous.

This impeachment rally is one of several planned throughout the city leading up to Inauguration Day on January 20.

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