Dozens Arrested as Thousands Protest Donald Trump in New York City

What to Know

  • At least 60 people were arrested when thousands marched in the streets of New York City to protest President-elect Donald Trump
  • They gathered in front of Trump Tower and Trump International Hotel to voice their anger and fear over a Trump presidency
  • The protests halted traffic and pedestrians but were peaceful

At least 65 people were arrested as thousands of protesters marched in Manhattan and converged outside Trump Tower and Trump International Hotel to denounce the election of Donald Trump as president. 

The river of anti-Trump sentiment washed over midtown a day after the Republican's stunning victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton -- a win that sparked demonstrations across the U.S. Protesters shut down Fifth Avenue outside Trump Tower, where the president-elect works and lives, to send a message that they don't support him or his policies. 

“America is not voting for Donald Trump’s policies, which don’t exist,” one man said. “They voted for sexism, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism.”

The protesters chanted “Not my president” and "hey, hey, ho, ho Donald Trump has got to go.” They held signs that read “Trump Makes America Hate" and “Impeach Trump.” A few climbed vehicles and light poles. 

There was anger and fear among many. Some said they worried about what the new president's policies could mean for them.

“I was afraid this morning. I’m still afraid today, you know. As a black woman, I’m afraid. But I’m not going to let my fear hold me back,” a woman said.

One group began at Union Square Wednesday night, while another started at Columbus Circle. Splinter groups of protesters then streamed into the streets causing massive gridlock as police mobilized to contain them under a light rain.

Police installed barricades outside Trump Tower to keep the demonstrators at bay as they burned American flags and effigies of Trump. Officers made dozens of arrests, mostly for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. 

Some of the protesters cursed out key battleground states that Trump had won to secure victory. Others vowed that their fight had only just begun. 

The impact of the protests was felt by traffic and witnessed by pedestrians. Buses were jammed in the middle of intersections and trucks were stuck as police tried to help them maneuver around demonstrators. 

Steve Dumerve said the protests kept him and a friend from Trump International Hotel. 

“Our original intention was to be at the Trump Hotel. But that’s not going to happen apparently. We have reservations. It’s not happening tonight,” Dumerve said. 

Some residents of midtown said that the spectacle and resulting slowdown was worth it for freedom of speech. 

“We’re a free nation,” Margarita Krip said. “These people are not happy so they have to express their unhappiness.”

The Facebook events for demonstrations in Union Square and Columbus Circle were created on Wednesday morning, with more than 10,000 Facebook users responding that they would be present at the protests.

Similar anti-Trump protests were being held in other American cities Wednesday, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston

There was also at least one instance of election-related vandalism in the city on Wednesday. Someone appeared to have written the words "I will kill you Trump" on a subway train window, though it's not clear when the vandal wrote the message.

The NYPD said officers responded to the location, but the vandalism had been removed by the time they arrived on scene.

Despite spending his entire life in New York City, Trump was not a popular choice in the Big Apple on Election Day. He was beaten by Clinton in every borough except Staten Island. He also lost the popular vote statewide by nearly a 2-to-1 margin.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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