Protests break out in Atlanta in wake of Trump election
November 16, 2016
By Chandler Morris
In response to Donald Trump being announced the next president of the United States, citizens have taken to the streets with signs and megaphones to protest. Protests have broken out in large cities across the country, including Atlanta.
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, one day after Trump’s election was announced, a protest against him began in Piedmont Park. Protesters marched through Midtown and to Phillips arena in Downtown Atlanta. One arrest was made during the protest.
According to Emerson Moore, a junior who participated in the protest, the protest remained peaceful. Moore believes Trump’s presidency will make America less accepting of diversity.
“Everyone was super kind and positive,” Moore said.“There was never a moment where I was scared of the police or anything like that. I wanted to be there for the people that Trump hates, even though I’m one of those as he has said horrible comments about gays and transgenders.”
Another protest was organized on Friday, November 11. Protesters began the night in Old Fourth Ward, and speakers talked to the crowd before they marched down Ponce de Leon Blvd. Protesters chanted sayings such as “love Trumps hate” and “this is what democracy looks like.” Some members of the crowd held signs supporting minorities and women and opposing Trump.
The march moved to the Capitol building, where the protest took a sharp turn when flags were burned, then made its way to the Georgia State campus.
“You knew that the people participating were angry, but they were full of so much love as well,” Esme Rice, a sophomore who participated in Friday’s protest, said. “I participated because speaking out is the only way to show the world how you feel.”
Protestors against President-elect Trump gather in Old Fourth Ward on Friday, November 11.
Many residents supporting the Black Lives Matter movement also gathered in Old Fourth Ward.
St. Pius senior, Tim Mcnulty, stands in a crowd of protestors holding a sign opposing Trump. “I went [to the protest] because not only has Trump validated hatred and the rate of hate crimes has actually gone up, but also because his administration holds a lot of people that are indifferent or against social justice and human rights,” Mcnulty said. “If we don’t stand up now, who’s going to fight for us when actual legislation begins to get passed [limiting equal rights].”
Atlanta residents, Kate Holoman and Ainsley Waking, stand with their son’s at Friday’s protest.
