Thousands gather in NYC to shut down Trump

‘NYC rejects the party of hate’

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Thousands of demonstrators flocked to 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue on Wednesday evening. Their motive? Give Donald Trump the one finger salute.

The GOP front-runner was scheduled to speak during the New York State Republican Party’s annual gala, inside of the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Kasich were also making appearances. Chants and picket signs greeted attendees, who were probably expecting a red carpet welcome after dishing out $1,000 to gain entrance.

“Donald Trump, go away! Racist, sexist, anti-gay,” the protestors shouted, sometimes alternating it with a remix of a popular soccer chant. “Olé, olé, olé, olé, fuck Trump, fuck Trump!”

The diverse protest seemed to be a conglomeration of several leftist movements: Black Lives Matter against police brutality, the “Fight for $15” push to raise the minimum wage, the Bernie Sanders campaign, and more.

Despite their topical differences, they all came together to express how despicable they thought Trump’s rhetoric has been on the campaign trail.

We spoke to some of the thousands of people in attendance and asked why they were so adamant about dumping Trump:

“Contrary to what I’ve heard people say, I do believe that Donald Trump represents a lot of people America,” said Rana, 20, as she held a hot pink sign that starkly contrasted her veil. “There are many hateful people in the US – we need to wake up and see past it.”

“His ideology and mentality, it’s just not for the 21st century,” said Mino Jones from Spanish Harlem. “He wants us to regress…but guess what? It’s not gonna happen, so FUCK TRUMP!”

Joan Adam, a Republican from Westchester, was frustrated at how indecisively her party has responded to the Trump campaign. “I was extremely disappointed at how the Republican Party handled the whole thing. I sent an email to the RNC and told them to grow a backbone and deny Trump the nomination, even if they think he might run as a third party candidate. Needless to say, I didn’t hear back.”

“Donald Trump is a fascist who is using veterans as props to reinforce hate,” said Jason Hurb, a 36 year-old veteran who is an active member of Iraq Veterans Against the War. “I met countless good people when I was Iraq who are looking to make a living just like us, they are not our enemies. A presidential candidate should not be allowed to use hate speech.”

Most of the demonstration remained peaceful, however, more than two-dozen people were arrested, reported CBS New York.

Some of the protesters where able to slip inside of the hotel and up onto the balcony level. A lone Trump supporter handing out pro-gun fliers punched Mike Vento, one of the protest organizers, in the face leaving him with a bloody lip.

While the demonstration garnered a lot of attention from the media and frustrated commuters, it remains to be seen if it will impact Trump’s numbers at the ballots on April 19th.

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