Hundreds took to downtown Lexington Saturday evening to protest incoming POTUS Donald Trump.
At its high point the demonstration outside the Fayette County District Courthouse in downtown Lexington comprised groups angry and fearful over a Trump presidency but also people representing the Black Lives Matter movement. They were demonstrating against an alleged racial incident at Portofino's Restaurant.
This was Lexington’s first protest concerning the president-elect. The event was organized and spread throughout the community via Facebook. Organizer Noemi Lara-Rojo said the purpose was to, “More than anything for people to voice out their anger not necessarily to deny the fact that Trump has become the president, but to voice out their anger and to let it be known that we are united as one.”
Designated speakers voiced opinions and fears about the incoming president followed by a march in Downtown that led around Triangle Park back to the Courthouse.
“I’m not naïve enough to think that he’s not going to go into office because people are protesting, but I am hopeful that the elected officials in the house and the senate take note of the depth and strength and passion of the opposition to Trump and to the things he is proposing …if these rallies are successful then we can alter the policies that get put into place and preserve the rights we’ve worked so hard for,” said protester Marta Wood.
Demonstrators held handmade signs while chanting messages, “Love Trumps hate, “and “a people united will never be divided.” Police were on-site to block off roads so that protesters could walk on the street rather than being limited to sidewalks.
Independent voter Clair Abney said she attended the rally for her young daughter, “so she knows she has a future and just be around other people that are also trying to stand up for others, we want our voices to be heard…I want her to grow up one day and look back on this and know that we stood up against injustice, you know that’s part of raising your children, you want them to speak out for others that are being oppressed, mistreated and discriminated against.”
The demonstration also drew a handful of Trump supporters but they refused to talk to the media.